WHO IS THIS ABOUT…

Ecclesiastes 1:2-11 
2 Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity.3 What does man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun? 4 A generation goes, and a generation comes, but the earth remains for ever.5 The sun rises and the sun goes down, and hastens to the place where it rises.
6 The wind blows to the south, and goes round to the north; round and round goes the wind, and on its circuits the wind returns.7 All streams run to the sea, but the sea is not full; to the place where the streams flow, there they flow again.
8 All things are full of weariness; a man cannot utter it; the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.
9 What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done; and there is nothing new under the sun.
10 Is there a thing of which it is said, “See, this is new”? It has been already, in the ages before us.11 There is no remembrance of former things, nor will there be any remembrance of later things yet to happen among those who come after.

Luke 9:7-9 
7 Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done, and he was perplexed, because it was said by some that John had been raised from the dead, 8 by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the old prophets had risen.9 Herod said, “John I beheaded; but who is this about whom I hear such things?” And he sought to see him.

MEDITATION

THE FIRST READING: The Preacher paints a stark picture calling into question the meaning of life to the extent that he wonder why man should labour and toil day in and day out from sunlight to sunset. So bleak is the outlook of the author that he does not put any stock in the good that took place in the past nevermind being hopeful about the future!  

THE GOSPEL READING: Herod was confounded by the fame of Jesus, thinking that the reported news of healing, exorcisms, restoration, the changing of hearts and minds of the demon possesed people that occured in his district, was the work of John the Baptist. It is very apparent that Herod’s conscience troubled him, because he ordered the death of John whom he feared, knowing that he was a “righteous and holy man!” Mk 6:20 

If indeed you find yourself in a state of darkness to the extent that you see no hope for the future, because you have perhaps; lost a loved one, your income, home, a friend and or you are so lonely and afflicted by an ailment, cut off from family members that you wish to throw in the towel, you must ask the question and wonder who is this about?! Surely, when our lives spiral out of controll we should do some introspection, denounce the devil and recognize that Christ living in us who have been baptised, has the power to restore us! Our lives are not about what we have or our status, but who we are called to be as disciples of the Lord. Contact your local parish priest who by his consecration is holy and righteous, sent to exorcise evil spirits to restore our state of mind and bring about inner healing and peace! 

LET US PRAY:Psalms 90:3-6,12-14,17

3 Thou turnest man back to the dust, and sayest, “Turn back, O children of men!”
4 For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night.5 Thou dost sweep men away; they are like a dream, like grass which is renewed in the morning:6 in the morning it flourishes and is renewed; in the evening it fades and withers.
12 So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.13 Return, O LORD! How long? Have pity on thy servants!14 Satisfy us in the morning with thy steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.17 Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish thou the work of our hands upon us, yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.

Commentary. Henry R SYLVESTER Note: The daily scripture readings are taken from the Roman Missal which the Catholic Church use in the daily Celebration of the Holy Eucharist throughout the world.Some weekly readings may differ because of the celebration of local feast days.