Memorial of Saint
Pio of Pietrelcina, priest
(Ecclesiastes 3:1-11; Luke 9:18-22)
A college professor recently wrote about her and her
daughter’s experience of learning to play the piano. She said that she studied piano to become a grand
prize winner. When she met the competition,
who could be every bit as diligent but had more talent, her interest began to
wane. Now she does not play much at
all. But she is teaching her daughter
how to play. Her daughter lacks the competitive
edge. She plays the piano for
enjoyment. She may not achieve
perfection, but she is not likely to become discontent with her efforts. These experiences reflect the first reading
today.
Qoheleth, the preacher, finds everything happening
according to God’s appointment. He is
chiding humans for trying to force better results with ploys like
competition. It is better, he would say,
to work when it is time and relax when that times comes, to weep when it is
appropriate but not to forget how to laugh. Qoheleth knows that God will take
care of people who trust in His ways.
Many of us are impatient and discontent. We are not satisfied with who we are and what
we have. We want to be universally recognized
and be rewarded for our achievements. We
are likely to end up disillusioned. It
would be better to exert effort during the day to be a better person, but at night
to acknowledge God as the one whom are to please.
