Daily Catholic Mass Readings for September 23, 2022
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, the balance of life, and the revelation of Jesus as the Messiah. The first reading from Ecclesiastes reminds us that life is composed of opposing yet complementary seasons: birth and death, planting and uprooting, weeping and laughing. The author emphasizes that God has made all things beautiful in their time, but humanity’s limited understanding often leads to frustration. This passage encourages us to embrace the rhythms of life, trusting that God’s plan unfolds in its own time.
The Gospel from Luke shifts our focus to a pivotal moment in Jesus’ ministry. While the crowds speculate about his identity, Jesus asks his disciples directly, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter’s confession, “The Christ of God,” marks a turning point. Jesus then reveals the cost of his mission: suffering, rejection, and death, followed by resurrection. This passage underscores the necessity of faith in the face of uncertainty and the transformative power of self-giving love.
Together, these readings remind us that life is not without its challenges, but these challenges are part of a larger plan. Like Peter, we are called to confess Jesus as the center of our lives, even when the road ahead seems difficult. May we trust in God’s timing, embrace the seasons of life with faith, and follow Jesus’ example of love and surrender. In doing so, we find meaning, purpose, and hope in the midst of life’s joys and sorrows.