Daily Readings - Fri Sep 25 2020
Ecclesiastes
1For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:2a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;3a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;4a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;5a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;6a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;7a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;8a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.9What gain has the worker from his toil?10I have seen the business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with.11He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.
Luke
18Now it happened that as he was praying alone, the disciples were with him. And he asked them, "Who do the crowds say that I am?"19And they answered, "John the Baptist. But others say, Elijah, and others, that one of the prophets of old has risen."20Then he said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" And Peter answered, "The Christ of God."21And he strictly charged and commanded them to tell this to no one,22saying, "The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised."
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound reflections that guide us in understanding the mysteries of life and faith. The first reading from Ecclesiastes reminds us that life is a series of seasons, each with its appointed time. It speaks of the natural order of birth and death, planting and harvesting, and the balance between joy and sorrow. This passage invites us to embrace the rhythm of life, trusting that God's timing is perfect, even when we cannot fully comprehend it.
The Gospel from Luke shifts our focus to a pivotal moment in the ministry of Jesus. Here, Jesus asks his disciples about his identity, and Peter confesses him as the Christ. Jesus then reveals the necessity of his suffering, death, and resurrection. This passage underscores the central mystery of our faith: that through apparent defeat and darkness, God brings about redemption and life.
These readings connect in their emphasis on trust and faith in God's plan. Ecclesiastes teaches us to accept the seasons of life with patience and trust, while Luke shows us that even in the face of suffering, God's plan unfolds for our salvation. In our daily lives, we are called to embrace both the joys and the challenges, knowing that they are part of a larger divine design. Let us learn to trust in God's timing and to see His hand at work, even in the most difficult moments.