Daily Readings - Thu Sep 24 2020
Ecclesiastes
2Ecclesiastes said: Vanity of vanities! Vanity of vanities, and all is vanity3What more does a man have from all his labor, as he labors under the sun4A generation passes away, and a generation arrives. But the earth stands forever5The sun rises and sets; it returns to its place, and from there, being born again6it circles through the south, and arcs toward the north. The spirit continues on, illuminating everything in its circuit, and turning again in its cycle7All rivers enter into the sea, and the sea does not overflow. To the place from which the rivers go out, they return, so that they may flow again8Such things are difficult; man is not able to explain them with words. The eye is not satisfied by seeing, nor is the ear fulfilled by hearing9What is it that has existed? The same shall exist in the future. What is it that has been done? The same shall continue to be done10There is nothing new under the sun. Neither is anyone able to say: "Behold, this is new!" For it has already been brought forth in the ages that were before us11There is no remembrance of the former things. Indeed, neither shall there be any record of past things in the future, for those who will exist at the very end
Luke
7Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all the things that were being done by him, but he doubted, because it was sai8by some, "For John has risen from the dead," yet truly, by others, "For Elijah has appeared," and by still others, "For one of the prophets from of old has risen again.9And Herod said: "I beheaded John. So then, who is this, about whom I hear such things?" And he sought to see him
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two distinct yet interconnected reflections on the human search for meaning and truth. The first reading from Ecclesiastes presents a somber meditation on the fleeting nature of life and the futility of earthly pursuits. The author laments that all human endeavors under the sun are “vanity of vanities,” a cycle of repetition and impermanence. The earth endures, but human generations rise and fall, and even the greatest achievements are forgotten over time. This reading invites us to confront the limits of human ambition and the transience of worldly gains.
The Gospel reading shifts our focus to the confusion and curiosity of Herod the tetrarch. Herod has heard of Jesus’ mighty works, but he is torn between doubt and intrigue. Some suggest that John the Baptist has risen from the dead, while others speculate that Elijah or another ancient prophet has reappeared. Herod’s uncertainty reflects the human tendency to seek meaning in the familiar, even when faced with something entirely new and transformative. His desire to “see him” reveals a deep-seated longing for truth, though it is clouded by his own preconceptions and fears.
These readings remind us that the search for meaning is universal, yet it is easy to become mired in doubt or distracted by the cycles of the world. Ecclesiastes warns us against chasing after things that will inevitably pass away, while the Gospel invites us to look beyond the surface and embrace the radical newness of God’s plan. In our own lives, we often find ourselves caught between the futility of earthly pursuits and the hope of something greater. Let us turn to Christ, who alone can satisfy our deepest longings and offer true fulfillment. May we not be content with the fleeting, but instead seek the eternal truths that only God can provide.