Daily Readings - Sat Sep 24 2022
Ecclesiastes
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.
Luke
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.