26/09/2026
🟢 25th SATURDAY OF ORDINARY TIME 🟢
( ) 11:9—12:8
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.
Ward off grief from your heart
and put away trouble from your presence,
though the dawn of youth is fleeting.
Remember your Creator in the days of your youth,
before the evil days come
And the years approach of which you will say,
I have no pleasure in them;
Before the sun is darkened,
and the light, and the moon, and the stars,
while the clouds return after the rain;
When the guardians of the house tremble,
and the strong men are bent,
And the grinders are idle because they are few,
and they who look through the windows grow blind;
When the doors to the street are shut,
and the sound of the mill is low;
When one waits for the chirp of a bird,
but all the daughters of song are suppressed;
And one fears heights,
and perils in the street;
When the almond tree blooms,
and the locust grows sluggish
and the caper berry is without effect,
Because man goes to his lasting home,
and mourners go about the streets;
Before the silver cord is snapped
and the golden bowl is broken,
And the pitcher is shattered at the spring,
and the broken pulley falls into the well,
And the dust returns to the earth as it once was,
and the life breath returns to God who gave it.
Vanity of vanities, says Qoheleth,
all things are vanity!
This reading invites us to look at life with joy, but also with wisdom. Ecclesiastes speaks especially to young people, telling them to enjoy life, its good moments, their dreams, and everything God allows them to experience. But there is one phrase that changes the meaning of everything: “Remember your Creator in the days of your youth.”
The message is not that enjoying life is wrong. On the contrary: God wants us to know how to enjoy it. The problem arises when we believe that life consists solely of seeking pleasure, success, money, or recognition. We can have many things and still feel empty if we forget what we are living for.
Ecclesiastes also reminds us that youth, beauty, strength, and opportunities pass. Therefore, the invitation is not to put off what is truly important. Sometimes we think: “When I have more time, I will seek God,” “When this is over, I will draw closer to Him,” “When I have stability, I will enjoy my family.” And without realizing it, we keep putting life off.
That's why this reading offers us something very simple yet profound: live in the present, enjoy what you have, but don't lose sight of God. Work, laugh, love, make plans, enjoy the people you love, but always remember who gave you life and where you want to take it.
In the end, Qoheleth repeats a powerful idea: “Vanity of vanities, all thing are vanity.” This doesn't mean that life is meaningless. It means that everything we believe to be permanent—money, youth, power, appearances—will one day pass away. What remains is the love we gave, the good we did, and the relationship we built with God.
Perhaps the question this reading leaves us with today is: Am I truly living my life, or am I simply waiting for the moment to begin?
Lord, thank you for the gift of life.
Help me to enjoy each day without forgetting that everything I have comes from You.
Teach me to make the most of my time, to love those around me, and to do good.
May I never put off until tomorrow what I can experience, love, or be grateful for today.
And may I never forget You, amidst all that happens. Amen.
🧔🏽🗣👥️👥️🙇🙇♂️🙇♀️✝️📖❤️🙏😊 SOURCE: Bible of Jerusalem ChatGPT 2026 SHARE