Daily Catholic Mass Readings for September 28, 2018
First Reading: Ecclesiastes 3.1-11
1To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:2A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which 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 get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;7A time to rend, 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 of war, and a time of peace.9What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?10I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.11He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.
Psalm 144
1Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight:2My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust; who subdueth my people under me.3LORD, what is man, that thou takest knowledge of him! or the son of man, that thou makest account of him!4Man is like to vanity: his days are as a shadow that passeth away.5Bow thy heavens, O LORD, and come down: touch the mountains, and they shall smoke.6Cast forth lightning, and scatter them: shoot out thine arrows, and destroy them.7Send thine hand from above; rid me, and deliver me out of great waters, from the hand of strange children;8Whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood.9I will sing a new song unto thee, O God: upon a psaltery and an instrument of ten strings will I sing praises unto thee.10It is he that giveth salvation unto kings: who delivereth David his servant from the hurtful sword.11Rid me, and deliver me from the hand of strange children, whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood:12That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace:13That our garners may be full, affording all manner of store: that our sheep may bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our streets:14That our oxen may be strong to labour; that there be no breaking in, nor going out; that there be no complaining in our streets.15Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD.
Gospel: Luke 9.18-22
18And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, Whom say the people that I am?19They answering said, John the Baptist; but some say, Elias; and others say, that one of the old prophets is risen again.20He said unto them, But whom say ye that I am? Peter answering said, The Christ of God.21And he straitly charged them, and commanded them to tell no man that thing;22Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are invited to reflect on the nature of time, purpose, and the mystery of God’s plan. The first reading from Ecclesiastes reminds us that life is filled with seasons—times of birth and death, planting and uprooting, joy and sorrow. The author suggests that while we may not fully understand the meaning of all things, we can trust that God has ordered them well. This wisdom encourages us to embrace the present moment, whatever it may bring, and to find balance in the midst of life’s contradictions.
The Gospel reading from Luke shifts our focus to Jesus, who reveals the ultimate purpose of his mission. When Jesus asks his disciples who they believe he is, Peter’s confession—“The Christ of God”—marks a turning point. Yet Jesus quickly adds that his identity as the Messiah is inseparable from his suffering, rejection, and resurrection. This passage reminds us that following Christ is not about seeking glory or comfort but about embracing the cross. Just as Jesus accepted his season of suffering for the sake of redemption, we too are called to trust in God’s timing and to find meaning in the challenges we face.
These readings invite us to live with faith and hope. Ecclesiastes teaches us to trust in God’s plan, even when we cannot see the full picture. Luke’s Gospel calls us to embrace our own crosses, knowing that they are part of a larger story of love and salvation. In our daily lives, let us seek to discern God’s timing, to embrace both the joyful and the difficult seasons, and to follow Christ with courage and humility. May we find strength in the knowledge that all things are in God’s hands, and may we live with purpose, trusting that his plan is always for our good.