Readings: Ecclesiastes 1:2-11, Ps. 90:3-6,12-14,17, Luke 9:7-9
“John, I beheaded; but who is this about whom I hear such things?” (Luke 9:9)
Today’s First Reading recalls a popular saying from the book of Ecclesiastes or Qoheleth: “Vanity of Vanities! All things are vanity! What profit does a man get from all the labour he toils at under the sun?”
The word ‘vanity’ comes from the Hebrew word ‘Hebel,’ which means “breath,” and is used metaphorically for anything transitory, frail, or unsatisfying. Everything in this world is a mere breath. It is nothing compared to eternity. Nothing here lasts forever. Nothing in this world can bring lasting happiness. “All things are full of weariness; a man cannot utter it; the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. What has been what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 1:8-9)
While growing up, I heard the story of a young man who killed his elder brother while fighting over their father’s inheritance. The young man went to the bank, withdrew everything from their father’s account, went straight to a used car lot, and bought the latest car in town. The last time I saw that type of car, it was being used like a truck to transport bags of cement.
There is nothing in this life worth killing another person for. Nothing. Today’s first reading is worth pondering for anyone involved in money rituals (sale of human parts, trafficking of persons, kidnapping and so on). What will you gain by taking another person’s life? You may even become irritated with money. Meanwhile, you can never replace the life you have taken.
How do you hope to find peace after cutting a person’s life short? No amount of pleasure, luxury or thrill can deaden your heart to the pangs of guilt, knowing that your present “success” is the result of someone’s blood. Even Herod, king of Israel, never found peace after beheading John the Baptist. Herod silenced John the Baptist physically, but he couldn’t stop his heart from hearing John the Baptist’s voice day and night.
In today’s Gospel passage, Herod is troubled because he heard about Jesus’ fame, and some people said he was John the Baptist who had risen from the dead. The feeling of regret, or, better put, emptiness, is what comes to us when we realise our past actions were mere acts of foolishness, especially those spurred by vain ambitions. Did Herod enjoy his adulterous union with Herodias? What is there to enjoy when you are constantly troubled by the sight of one’s head on a platter?
The book of Proverbs 10:22 states: “The blessing of the Lord makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.” Riches from the devil always come with sorrow. When we tell lies, cheat, kill, or assassinate other people’s character for riches, we can never find peace and satisfaction. You cannot take a person’s joy and hope to find joy yourself. It is a matter of time, and sorrow will overtake you like a mighty rush of wind.
Never envy the rich who live flamboyant lives if you do not know their source of wealth. They may be spending millions in clubs every night, and you may find eating one square meal a day hard. As long as you are at peace with God and content with the little you have, you are still better than them. If you do not gain heaven at the end of your life, you have lost forever. (cf. Mark 8:36-37).
Let us pray: O God, who founded all the commands of your sacred Law upon love of you and of our neighbour, grant that, by keeping your precepts, we may merit to attain eternal life. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Thursday of week 25 in Ordinary Time. Liturgical Colour: Green. Bible Study: Ecclesiastes 1:2-11, Ps. 90:3-6,12-14,17, Luke 9:7-9)
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu