Daily Catholic Mass Readings for September 22, 2022
First Reading: Ecclesiastes 1.2-11
2"Meaningless! Meaningless!" says the Teacher. "Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless."3What does man gain from all his labor at which he toils under the sun?4Generations come and generations go, but the earth remains forever.5The sun rises and the sun sets, and hurries back to where it rises.6The wind blows to the south and turns to the north; round and round it goes, ever returning on its course.7All streams flow into the sea, yet the sea is never full. To the place the streams come from, there they return again.8All things are wearisome, more than one can say. The eye never has enough of seeing, nor the ear its fill of hearing.9What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.10Is there anything of which one can say, "Look! This is something new"? It was here already, long ago; it was here before our time.11There is no remembrance of men of old, and even those who are yet to come will not be remembered by those who follow.
Psalm 90
1Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations.2Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.3You turn men back to dust, saying, "Return to dust, O sons of men."4For a thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night.5You sweep men away in the sleep of death; they are like the new grass of the morning-6though in the morning it springs up new, by evening it is dry and withered.7We are consumed by your anger and terrified by your indignation.8You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence.9All our days pass away under your wrath; we finish our years with a moan.10The length of our days is seventy years- or eighty, if we have the strength; yet their span is but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.11Who knows the power of your anger? For your wrath is as great as the fear that is due you.12Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.13Relent, O LORD! How long will it be? Have compassion on your servants.14Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.15Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, for as many years as we have seen trouble.16May your deeds be shown to your servants, your splendor to their children.17May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us- yes, establish the work of our hands.
Gospel: Luke 9.7-9
7Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was going on. And he was perplexed, because some were saying that John had been raised from the dead,8others that Elijah had appeared, and still others that one of the prophets of long ago had come back to life.9But Herod said, "I beheaded John. Who, then, is this I hear such things about?" And he tried to see him.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the human search for meaning and truth. In the first reading from Ecclesiastes, we hear the wisdom of the ages: "Vanity of vanities! All is vanity." The author laments the fleeting nature of life and the endless cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. The earth remains, but human generations come and go, striving and laboring without lasting fulfillment. The rivers flow to the sea, yet the sea is never full, and the eye and ear are never satisfied. This is the paradox of human existence—our efforts, though noble, are temporary, and true fulfillment eludes us. The reading reminds us that nothing under the sun is truly new; history repeats itself, and our memories of the past fade into obscurity.
In the Gospel, we encounter Herod, a man consumed by doubt and curiosity. He has heard of Jesus and the miracles being attributed to him, but he is confused. Some say Jesus is John the Baptist risen from the dead, others claim he is Elijah or one of the ancient prophets. Herod, who had beheaded John, is now haunted by the possibility that John has returned. He seeks to see Jesus, driven by a mix of fear and curiosity. Herod’s reaction reflects the human condition—our tendency to seek answers to life’s great mysteries, yet often with uncertainty and skepticism. Like Herod, we may find ourselves questioning who Jesus is and what he means for our lives.
These readings challenge us to examine our own search for meaning. Ecclesiastes reminds us that earthly pursuits, though they may occupy our time, cannot satisfy the deepest longings of our hearts. True fulfillment comes not from the fleeting things of this world but from seeking the eternal and the divine. Herod’s story, on the other hand, invites us to move beyond doubt and curiosity. It calls us to encounter Jesus with openness and faith, to let go of our skepticism and allow his presence to transform us. In our daily lives, let us strive to balance our earthly responsibilities with a deeper spiritual focus. May we trust in God’s plan, even when the world around us seems uncertain, and may we seek the eternal truths that bring lasting peace and fulfillment.