Joy and gloom

Today’s readings both depict enjoyment of what feels wondrous overshadowed by foreboding of what seems ominous.

In the first reading, Ecclesiastes warns young people to enjoy their youth while they can, but to be mindful of the inevitability of decline, of death, and of judgment.

In the Gospel, the disciples are amazed at the wonderful miracles of Christ – sure signs that He is the long-awaited Messiah – only to hear our Lord hint about a future too ominous for them to even ask about.

In our own lives, we may have times when everything seems wonderful and times when our future looks grim.

It is important for us to keep a properly balanced attitude: neither to focus so much on enjoyment that we dislodge prudence and morality, nor to focus so much on that which is unhappy or fearful that we fail to appreciate truly the good gifts God still gives us.

What helps us keep that balance is God’s grace and focusing always, in good times and in bad, on the will of God: understanding always, as St. Paul says (Romans 8:28), that ultimately
“all things work together for good
to them that love God.”