Lectionary # 453. Scripture reflection for Sept 26, 2008

Scripture: Friday of 25th week. Ecclesiastes 3:1-11. Psalm 144:1-2.3-4.
Luke 9:18-22. Lectionary # 453:

Awakening and looking in the mirror each morning, we become aware
that God has given us another day of life. This is a heavenly and pure
gift that we should be thankful for; it is also a splendid mystery! Some
religious and some monks say the following prayer upon awakening,
"Benedicamus Domino...then a hearty Deo Gratias which means, "Let us bless
the Lord (for the gift of this new day) and we respond wholeheartedly,
"Thanks be to God."
In one of the most well known parts of our Wisdom selection from
Ecclesiastes or the Preacher (Qohelet) we discover a good philosophical
look at the contrasting experiences of life...all of which are somewhat
mysterious. Which of these fits your day and your life? Perhaps, several
of them do as you examine the day and what is happening all over the globe.
There are contrasts, differences, like peace and war. life and death, etc.
It is better to look at the inspired writing and see which one God places
before us this day. The final thought of today's reading is pertinent for
the mystery part of these contrasting experiences: "God has put the
TIMELESS into our hearts, without our discovering from beginning to end,
the work God is doing for us."
Meditating on the Psalm and its response deepens our awareness of the
gift of life and its mystery, "Lord, who are we, that you take notice of
us?" And then we can say as the monks did above, but in other words,
"Blessed be the Lord, my Rock.. my loving kindness, and my fortress" (Psalm
144: 1-2). Thanks be to God!
Praying alone in seclusion, Jesus then is about to reveal the secret
of his life to the apostles. It is Peter who is led by God to begin the
mystery that Jesus is the Messiah of God, that is, the Anointed One. That
is only the tip of the iceberg. Jesus needs to tell them that he is not
the Messiah they expect or want. He is a humble Messiah who will be a
Suffering Servant of the Lord as Isaiah has described. No one wants to
hear of suffering or death, but it is a part of the human journey and Jesus
will go through it to show us that we are redeemed and able to follow him
because of his own suffering and death. This is in Mark called the
"Messianic Secret". The liturgy has summed it up quite well in what we
have come to know as the Paschal Mysteries of Christ--his suffering, death,
resurrection, and glorification at the right hand of God. Therefore, let
us bless the Lord and say, "Thanks be to God, Deo Gratias." Amen.