Daily Catholic Mass Readings for September 25, 2020
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 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.