Daily Mass Readings – Saturday, 26 September 2026

9 Rejoice therefore, O young man, in thy youth, and let thy heart be in that which is good in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thy heart, and in the sight of thy eyes: and know that for all these God will bring thee into judgment.

10 Remove anger from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh. For youth and pleasure are vain.

12:1 Remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth, before the time of affliction come, and the years draw nigh of which thou shalt say: They please me not:

2 Before the sun, and the light, and the moon, and the stars be darkened, and the clouds return after the rain:

3 When the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall stagger, and the grinders shall be idle in a small number, and they that look through the holes shall be darkened:

4 And they shall shut the doors in the street, when the grinder’s voice shall be low, and they shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of music shall grow deaf.

5 And they shall fear high things, and they shall be afraid in the way, the almond tree shall flourish, the locust shall be made fat, and the caper tree shall be destroyed: because man shall go into the house of his eternity, and the mourners shall go round about in the street.

6 Before the silver cord be broken, and the golden fillet shrink back, and the pitcher be crushed at the fountain, and the wheel be broken upon the cistern,

7 And the dust return into its earth, from whence it was, and the spirit return to God, who gave it.

8 Vanity of vanities, said Ecclesiastes, and all things are vanity.

R. (1) In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.

3 Turn not man away to be brought low: and thou hast said: Be converted, O ye sons of men.

4 For a thousand years in thy sight are as yesterday, which is past. And as a watch in the night,

R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.

5 Things that are counted nothing, shall their years be.

6 In the morning man shall grow up like grass; in the morning he shall flourish and pass away: in the evening he shall fall, grow dry, and wither.

R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.

12 Can number thy wrath? So make thy right hand known: and men learned in heart, in wisdom.

13 Return, O Lord, how long? and be entreated in favour of thy servants.

R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.

14 We are filled in the morning with thy mercy: and we have rejoiced, and are delighted all our days.

17 And let the brightness of the Lord our God be upon us: and direct thou the works of our hands over us; yea, the work of our hands do thou direct.

R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

10 Our Savior Christ Jesus destroyed death and brought life to light through the Gospel.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

43b, 44 All were astonished at the mighty power of God. But while all wondered at all the things he did, he said to his disciples: Lay you up in your hearts these words, for it shall come to pass, that the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men.

45 But they understood not this word; and it was hid from them, so that they perceived it not. And they were afraid to ask him concerning this word.

Ecclesiastes speaks with sober honesty about the passing of youth, strength, pleasure, and finally life itself. Human achievements and pleasures cannot serve as a lasting refuge; the dust returns to the earth, while the spirit returns to God who gave it. This is not a call to despair, but to remember our Creator while we have time, to put away anger, and to walk in what is good.

The psalm gives the answer to life’s brevity: “In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.” That refuge is revealed fully in Christ. The Gospel places his mighty works beside his warning that he will be delivered into human hands. The disciples cannot yet understand it, but Jesus will meet death rather than avoid it, and through the Gospel he brings life to light. Our days remain fragile, yet they are held by God and opened to resurrection. Remembering this can make our choices clearer: we can surrender our works to God, receive each morning as mercy, and let the hope of Christ purify how we live today.

Lord God, you are our refuge in every age. Keep me mindful that my life and every good gift come from you. Free my heart from anger, vanity, and whatever draws me away from your ways. When I cannot understand your plans, give me the humility to remain near Jesus and trust his Cross. Let the promise of life brought to light through the Gospel shape my choices, my work, and my use of time. Fill each morning with your mercy, and direct the work of my hands for your glory. Amen.