Daily Catholic Lectio
Sat, 26 Sep 2026
XXV Week in Ordinary Time
Eccl 11:9–12:8. Lk 9:43-45
Rejoice and Remember!
Today’s readings hold together two attitudes: rejoicing and remembering. We are invited to enjoy the gift of life, but also to remember its fragility, the reality of suffering, and our responsibility before God.
Qoheleth says, “Rejoice, young man, while you are young.” Life is a gift. Youth, health, relationships, work, friendship, beauty, and moments of happiness are to be received with gratitude. Faith does not ask us to reject joy. Often, worry about tomorrow prevents us from enjoying the blessings of today. Qoheleth reminds us to appreciate each stage of life while it is with us.
But he immediately adds: “Know that for all these things God will bring you to judgment.” Rejoicing does not mean living without responsibility. Christian joy must be guided by wisdom.
Qoheleth then says, “Remember your Creator in the days of your youth.” His poetic description of ageing reminds us that human life is fragile. Strength weakens, the senses fade, and the body returns to the dust.
The message is simple: do not wait for weakness before remembering God. Remember Him while you still have strength, freedom, time, and opportunity. Let the awareness of God shape the way you live now.
The Gospel presents the same message from another angle. The crowd is amazed at the mighty works of Jesus. At that very moment Jesus tells His disciples: “The Son of Man is to be handed over into the hands of men.”
The people see miracles; Jesus sees the Cross ahead. The disciples are impressed by His success; Jesus remembers where His mission is leading Him.
This is already the second time in Luke’s Gospel that Jesus speaks about His suffering. He does not allow success to hide the reality of the Cross. At the same time, the Cross does not prevent Him from living fully in the present. He continues to preach, heal, travel, and remain close to people.
Jesus therefore shows us how to rejoice and remember at the same time.
We can rejoice in health while remembering that life is fragile. We can celebrate success while remembering that circumstances change. We can enjoy relationships while remembering that nothing earthly is permanent.
The disciples, however, do not understand Jesus’ words. They are afraid to ask Him. Sometimes we too prefer the Jesus of miracles to the Jesus who speaks about suffering. We want glory without the Cross.
Qoheleth finally says, “Vanity of vanities; all is vanity.” This does not mean that life is meaningless. It means that everything earthly is temporary. Youth passes. Strength passes. Possessions pass. Success passes.
Therefore, we must enjoy temporary gifts without making them our final goal.
True wisdom is this: rejoice in the present, but remember the Creator; enjoy the gift, but remember the Giver; live fully today, but keep eternity in view.
Jesus keeps His end before Him, and that awareness gives direction to His journey.
May we too learn to rejoice without forgetting, and remember without losing joy.
Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi
Archdiocese of Madurai
A Yesni Prays Initiative
Leave a comment