Saturday, Sept.25th, Lectionary # 454

Scripture: Lectionary #454. Ecclesiastes 11:9-12:8. Psalm
90:3-4,5-6,12-13,17. Luke 8:43-45:

We end the readings from Ecclesiastes today and the wisdom of Psalm 90
complements this inspired Scripture written by an unknown
"Qohelet" (preacher). Some authors and exegetes think that the ending is
the same as the beginning, but there is an epilogue, probably belonging to
the same writer consisting of six more wisdom verses. Attached is also
this summary in Hebrew without any punctuation or vowel indicators:" The
end of the matter, all having been heard: fear God, and keep His
commandments; for this is the whole man (integrated person)." A commentator
named Plumptre says,"What is meant is that this is the only true answer to
that quest of the chief good in which the thinker had been engaged."

The Psalm is one we have already had in the liturgical readings of
yesterday, and again it completes the meaning of the above ending of
Qohelet. It does so in a prayerful manner and genre with a direct focus
upon God as Creator and Provident benefactor who is our refuge in every
age. The famous lines of the Psalm are here:"For a thousand years in your
sight are as yesterday, now that it is past, or as a watch of the
night." (Psalm 90:4).

The wisdom motif of the Psalm centers on the unlimited and eternal nature
of God as contrasted with the limits of humans whose years are like a sigh,
or like flood waters passing by, or even short-lived grass which sprouts in
the morning but wilts at eventide. We last for seventy years or, if we are
strong for eighty. God, however, is eternal and a thousand years are like
yesterday in God's eternity.

Our Gospel shows us the disciples not understanding his words about his
fast approaching sufferings and death. Despite his calling them to
attention and their efforts, they fail to grasp the meaning of the
mysteries of Jesus' passing over from this life to the next. Jesus is not
a royal messiah as they think he is. He is a suffering servant of the Lord
similar to what Isaiah has prophesied about such a person. In a sense, they
are like wandering sheep who have no clue about the goal the Shepherd is
leading toward. Our liturgy helps us to realize who Jesus really is for us
when we sing "Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come
again."Amen.