< <  

Saturday, September 26, 2020

  > >

Sts. Cosmas & Damian


Ecclesiastes 11:9—12:8
Psalm 90:3-6, 12-14, 17
Luke 9:43-45

View Readings
Similar Reflections

for god it’s always now

“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

Human beings tend to be creatures of habit. One habitual skill most of us possess is a keen ability to forget things! Bogged down by our daily hustle and bustle, we rarely remember the transitory nature of life. Over time, God’s transcendence may momentarily break into our humdrum lives — but just as quickly these epiphanies generally fade. The Lord, knowing our weakness, is forebearing with us. “Consider that our Lord’s patience is directed toward salvation” (2 Pt 3:15). This is an unmerited blessing. 
The Psalmist, echoing a prayer of Moses, reminds us we “are like the changing grass” (Ps 90:5). Have we listened? The author of Ecclesiastes, recalling the wisdom of Solomon, tells us “the dust returns to the earth as it once was, and the life breath returns to God Who gave it” (Eccl 12:7). Have we contemplated this truth? St. Peter, calling to mind the Hebrew Scriptures, continues to challenge us: “This point must not be overlooked, dear friends.  In the Lord’s eyes, one day is as a thousand years and a thousand years are as a day” (2 Pt 3:8; cf Ps 90:4). Do we recognize our mortality? How many prophets and apostles does the Lord need to send?
Jesus broke into our world and made the great I AM present (see Jn 8:57-58). Focus on the eternal. “God has overlooked the times of ignorance, but now He demands that all people everywhere repent” (Acts 17:30, RNAB). Let us no longer presume God’s patience.  Repent!

Prayer:  Father, teach me to conquer procrastination.

Promise:  “Rejoice, O young man, while you are young, and let your heart be glad in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart, the vision of your eyes; Yet understand that as regards all this God will bring you to judgment.” ––Eccl 11:9

Praise:  Sts. Cosmas & Damian, twin brothers and medical doctors, never accepted payment for their services.

Reference:  (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)

Rescript:  "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for One Bread, One Body covering the period from October 1, 2020 through November 30, 2020. Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio February 25, 2020"

The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.