Daily Catholic Mass Readings for September 24, 2022
First Reading: Ecclesiastes 11.9 – 12.8
9Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes. But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.10Remove vexation from your heart, and put away pain from your body, for youth and the dawn of life are vanity.
1Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, "I have no pleasure in them";2before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars are darkened and the clouds return after the rain,3in the day when the keepers of the house tremble, and the strong men are bent, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those who look through the windows are dimmed,4and the doors on the street are shut--when the sound of the grinding is low, and one rises up at the sound of a bird, and all the daughters of song are brought low--5they are afraid also of what is high, and terrors are in the way; the almond tree blossoms, the grasshopper drags itself along, and desire fails, because man is going to his eternal home, and the mourners go about the streets--6before the silver cord is snapped, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher is shattered at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern,7and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.8Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher; all is vanity.
Psalm 90
1Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations.2Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.3You return man to dust and say, "Return, O children of man!"4For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night.5You sweep them away as with a flood; they are like a dream, like grass that is renewed in the morning:6in the morning it flourishes and is renewed; in the evening it fades and withers.7For we are brought to an end by your anger; by your wrath we are dismayed.8You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence.9For all our days pass away under your wrath; we bring our years to an end like a sigh.10The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away.11Who considers the power of your anger, and your wrath according to the fear of you?12So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.13Return, O LORD! How long? Have pity on your servants!14Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.15Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, and for as many years as we have seen evil.16Let your work be shown to your servants, and your glorious power to their children.17Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!
Gospel: Luke 9.43b-45
43And all were astonished at the majesty of God.But while they were all marveling at everything he was doing, Jesus said to his disciples,44"Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men."45But they did not understand this saying, and it was concealed from them, so that they might not perceive it. And they were afraid to ask him about this saying.
Sermon
In today's readings, we are invited to reflect on the nature of life, its fleeting moments, and the eternal truths that guide us. The first reading from Ecclesiastes reminds us to rejoice in our youth and to follow our hearts, yet it also warns us not to forget our Creator. It paints a vivid picture of the passing of time and the inevitability of decline and death, urging us to seek meaning beyond the superficial pleasures of life. The passage is a call to live with purpose and to remember that our actions have consequences, for "God will bring you to judgment."
The Gospel from Luke shifts our focus to Jesus, who heals a boy and then speaks to his disciples about his own future suffering. The disciples, however, fail to understand Jesus' words, and they are afraid to ask him about them. This moment in the Gospel highlights the tension between the wonder of God's power and the mystery of the cross. It reminds us that following Jesus means embracing both the joy of his presence and the difficulty of his mission.
These readings invite us to live with a sense of balance and perspective. Ecclesiastes encourages us to enjoy the gifts of life while remaining mindful of its deeper purpose. Luke reminds us that true discipleship requires us to trust in God's plan, even when it is hard to understand. In our daily lives, we are called to embrace the present with gratitude, to seek meaning beyond the fleeting, and to trust in God's providence, even in the face of uncertainty. Let us strive to live with hearts that are both joyful and discerning, open to the wonders of God's love and the challenges of following him.