Daily Readings - Thu Sep 22 2022
Ecclesiastes
2Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity.3What does man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun?4A generation goes, and a generation comes, but the earth remains forever.5The sun rises, and the sun goes down, and hastens to the place where it rises.6The wind blows to the south and goes around to the north; around and around goes the wind, and on its circuits the wind returns.7All streams run to the sea, but the sea is not full; to the place where the streams flow, there they flow again.8All things are full of weariness; a man cannot utter it; the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.9What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun.10Is there a thing of which it is said, "See, this is new"? It has been already in the ages before us.11There is no remembrance of former things, nor will there be any remembrance of later things yet to be among those who come after.
Luke
7Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was perplexed, because it was said by some that John had been raised from the dead,8by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the prophets of old had risen.9Herod said, "John I beheaded, but who is this about whom I hear such things?" And he sought to see him.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the human search for meaning and truth. In the first reading from Ecclesiastes, we hear the wisdom of the ages: "Vanity of vanities! All is vanity." The author laments the fleeting nature of life and the endless cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. The earth remains, but human generations come and go, striving and laboring without lasting fulfillment. The rivers flow to the sea, yet the sea is never full, and the eye and ear are never satisfied. This is the paradox of human existence—our efforts, though noble, are temporary, and true fulfillment eludes us. The reading reminds us that nothing under the sun is truly new; history repeats itself, and our memories of the past fade into obscurity.
In the Gospel, we encounter Herod, a man consumed by doubt and curiosity. He has heard of Jesus and the miracles being attributed to him, but he is confused. Some say Jesus is John the Baptist risen from the dead, others claim he is Elijah or one of the ancient prophets. Herod, who had beheaded John, is now haunted by the possibility that John has returned. He seeks to see Jesus, driven by a mix of fear and curiosity. Herod’s reaction reflects the human condition—our tendency to seek answers to life’s great mysteries, yet often with uncertainty and skepticism. Like Herod, we may find ourselves questioning who Jesus is and what he means for our lives.
These readings challenge us to examine our own search for meaning. Ecclesiastes reminds us that earthly pursuits, though they may occupy our time, cannot satisfy the deepest longings of our hearts. True fulfillment comes not from the fleeting things of this world but from seeking the eternal and the divine. Herod’s story, on the other hand, invites us to move beyond doubt and curiosity. It calls us to encounter Jesus with openness and faith, to let go of our skepticism and allow his presence to transform us. In our daily lives, let us strive to balance our earthly responsibilities with a deeper spiritual focus. May we trust in God’s plan, even when the world around us seems uncertain, and may we seek the eternal truths that bring lasting peace and fulfillment.