A reading from the book of Ecclesiastes: (3:1-7,11) For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven. A time to be born, and a time to die; A time to plant, and a time to root up what is planted; A time to break down and a time to build up; A time to weep and a time to laugh; A time to mourn and a time to dance; A time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to seek, and a time to lose; A time to keep and a time to discard; A time to tear, and a time to sew; A time to keep silence, and a time to speak; God has made everything suitable for its time.