A Jesuit Catholic University
in Omaha, Nebraska, since 1878

Ecclesiastes 3:1-11 Psalms 144:1-2, 3-4 Luke 9:18-22

Weekly Guide for Daily Prayer The Daily Reflections

I love the first reading for today because it always reminds me to take a step back and relax.  It is very easy for me to stress out about where a relationship is going, or what I should be doing with my life.  I want things to be planned.  Certain.  But God reminds us in Ecclesiastes that “there is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every thing under the heavens.”(Eccl 3:1).  Sometimes we just have to be patient, whether we like it or not.  There is also an important distinction in this verse.  Everything that happens or will happen has its own God-appointed time, and most importantly, there is time for every thing that we could ever need.  God knows what is on our hearts, and knows what is best for us.  All will be provided, if only we are patient and trusting.

In the Gospel, too, Jesus hints on the importance of things coming in their own time.  He asks first who people say that he is.  The disciples say that people call him John the Baptist, Elijah, or another one of the ancient prophets.  But Jesus is not from the time of these past prophets.  He is in the present, the Christ of God.  He then talks of his coming death and resurrection, which will come in time.  The disciples didn’t know exactly when this was going to happen, but when it did, it was according to God’s plan.

So today, trust in God’s wisdom and timing.  In our world, it is easy to waste time with things that aren’t of God, but not today.  Cherish what is happening, not what is to come.  Make every moment count, and leave space for God’s plans to unfold in your life.

“Blessed be the Lord, my Rock!”-Ps 144:1