First reading Ecclesiastes 3:1-11
There is a time for every occupation under heaven
There is a season for everything, a time for every occupation under heaven:
A time for giving birth,
a time for dying;
a time for planting,
a time for uprooting what has been planted.
A time for killing,
a time for healing;
a time for knocking down,
a time for building.
A time for tears,
a time for laughter;
a time for mourning,
a time for dancing.
A time for throwing stones away,
a time for gathering them up;
a time for embracing,
a time to refrain from embracing.
A time for searching,
a time for losing;
a time for keeping,
a time for throwing away.
A time for tearing,
a time for sewing;
a time for keeping silent,
a time for speaking.
A time for loving,
a time for hating;
a time for war,
a time for peace.
What does a man gain for the efforts that he makes? I contemplate the task that God gives mankind to labour at. All that he does is apt for its time; but though he has permitted man to consider time in its wholeness, man cannot comprehend the work of God from beginning to end.
Responsorial Psalm 143(144):1-4
Blessed be the Lord, my rock.
Blessed be the Lord, my rock.
He is my love, my fortress;
he is my stronghold, my saviour
my shield, my place of refuge.
Lord, what is man that you care for him,
mortal man, that you keep him in mind;
man, who is merely a breath
whose life fades like a passing shadow?
Gospel Luke 9:18-22
‘You are the Christ of God’
One day when Jesus was praying alone in the presence of his disciples he put this question to them, ‘Who do the crowds say I am?’ And they answered, ‘John the Baptist; others Elijah; and others say one of the ancient prophets come back to life.’ ‘But you,’ he said ‘who do you say I am?’ It was Peter who spoke up. ‘The Christ of God’ he said. But he gave them strict orders not to tell anyone anything about this.
‘The Son of Man’ he said ‘is destined to suffer grievously, to be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes and to be put to death, and to be raised up on the third day.’
A Time For Every Purpose
In the first reading, the writer of Ecclesiastes reminds us that life goes through various seasons of joy and sorrow, planting and uprooting, speaking and silence, grieving and dancing. Nobody is in control of these seasons of life, which can leave us feeling uncertain and insecure. Yet the writer states, “All that God does is apt for its time.” Thus, even when we cannot understand the whole picture, we trust that His wisdom is greater than our understanding and that His love never abandons us.
In the Gospel, Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do you say I am?” Peter replied, “The Christ of God.” Immediately, Jesus moved on to say that His mission would involve suffering, rejection, death, and resurrection. This sudden change shows that Jesus wanted His disciples and us today to know that we would all go through seasons of faith where we would encounter answered prayers and peaceful relationships. However, there would also be seasons of pain, confusion and loss. Following Jesus does not mean we will be free from the cross. Instead, His constant assurance is that He is with us and will lead us to courage and hope.
Reflective question:
Do I let Jesus be with me and strengthen me in times when I carry my cross?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year A” by Sr Maria Jose FMVD
