Friday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Ecclesiastes 3:1-11, Psalm 144:1-4, and Luke 9:18-22
“For everything, there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1)
There is great wisdom in knowing that Life happens in stages and in seasons. There is a particular time for everything; birth time and death time, morning time and evening time; mourning time and rejoicing time; planting time and reaping time. Nothing lasts forever.
The book of Sirach says: “In the time of plenty, think of the time of hunger; in the days of wealth, think of poverty and need. From morning to evening conditions change and all things move swiftly before the Lord.” (Sirach 18:25-26). Are things going so smoothly for you right now? Think of the sad times and learn to be grateful for this moment. Are you going through difficulties at this moment, is there something seriously eating you up deep within? Then just remember the good times and say to yourself: “This too shall pass.”
If you haven’t seen the end of something, it is not because it will never end but because the end is yet to come. Whatever it is you are going through right now, just go through it, don’t get stuck, keep your fighting spirit till you see the end of it.
Imagine a song with just one tune or dance with only one type of move? How sweet will it be if a musician plays only one key on the keyboard? Again, no matter how sweet a song is, if it plays for too long, it becomes boring. Change is what creates a beautiful rhythm in the universe. The fact that things change and are subject to change is what makes life beautiful.
Are you having the best of what life has to offer right now? Think of those who are not so privileged and help them no matter how insignificant you assume your help is to them. Life is "turn by turn." When you are climbing a ladder, remember those you meet along the way because you might need them when coming down. Nothing is permanent.
Jesus told his disciples in today’s Gospel passage that he would be handed over to the elders and the chief priests, that he would suffer many things, be rejected and killed. How did Jesus summon the courage to talk freely about his death? He knew his death was only a season that would pass; He knew that no matter the amount of beating, shame and insult, something beautiful was coming afterwards.
Life is a song, it is rhythm; it will soon be your turn to change your dance steps. One day, you shall use your present situation to crack jokes. Don’t give up! Don’t enjoy alone either, don’t live in vanity, help those crying today. There will be many to dry your own tears when you cry.
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, save me from despair. Teach me to be grateful for whatever life throws at me. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you.