Daily Readings - Sat Sep 28 2024
Ecclesiastes
9Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.10Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity.
1Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;2While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain:3In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out of the windows be darkened,4And the doors shall be shut in the streets, when the sound of the grinding is low, and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of musick shall be brought low;5Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail: because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets:6Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern.7Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.8Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher; all is vanity.
Luke
43And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God. But while they wondered every one at all things which Jesus did, he said unto his disciples,44Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men.45But they understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not: and they feared to ask him of that saying.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound reflections on life and faith. The first reading from Ecclesiastes invites us to embrace the joys of youth while remembering the transient nature of life. It urges us to live virtuously, acknowledging that everything is vanity and that our time is short. This wisdom literature reminds us to cherish each moment and stay connected to our Creator.
The Gospel from Luke presents a scene where Jesus heals a boy, showcasing his divine power, and then foretells his own suffering. The disciples, however, fail to understand this prophecy, highlighting their journey from confusion to eventual comprehension. This passage is part of Luke's narrative as Jesus moves towards Jerusalem, emphasizing his mission and the disciples' growth in faith.
Both readings connect through the theme of trusting God amidst uncertainty. Ecclesiastes teaches us to appreciate life's fleeting nature and remain faithful, while Luke shows Jesus's trust in God's plan despite the disciples' confusion. Together, they remind us to live with gratitude and faith, trusting in God's providence even when the future is unclear.
In our daily lives, we can apply these lessons by embracing life's joys, staying faithful, and trusting God's plan, even when it's not fully understood. The moral lesson is clear: live with gratitude and faith, trusting in God's providence as we navigate life's uncertainties.