The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today exhort us to examine if our priorities in life are impacted by vanity and pride and lead us away from the Way of Jesus.
The reading from the Book of Ecclesiastes warns of vanity in life.
Psalm 90 cautions against hardness of heart.
The Reading from the Letter to the Colossians implores us to seek what is above.
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus warns against focusing on material wealth.
Rev. Andy Alexander, SJ, comments that today’s readings offer the grace of a powerful re-alignment of our lives - not focused on “what is on earth,” but on our life which is “hidden with Christ in God.”
Don Schwager quotes “Surrounded by wealth, blind to charity,” by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD)
"'What does the rich man do, surrounded by a great supply of many blessings beyond all numbering? In distress and anxiety, he speaks the words of poverty. He says, 'What should I do?' ... He does not look to the future. He does not raise his eyes to God. He does not count it worth his while to gain for the mind those treasures that are above in heaven. He does not cherish love for the poor or desire the esteem it gains. He does not sympathize with suffering. It gives him no pain nor awakens his pity. Still more irrational, he settles for himself the length of his life, as if he would also reap this from the ground. He says, 'I will say to myself, "Self, you have goods laid up for many years. Eat, drink, and enjoy yourself." 'O rich man,' one may say, "You have storehouses for your fruits, but where will you receive your many years? By the decree of God, your life is shortened." 'God,' it tells us, 'said to him, "You fool, this night they will require of you your soul. Whose will these things be that you have prepared?" (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 89)
Friar Jude Winkler reflects on the texts of today. The reading from the Book of Ecclesiastes rejects the idea of richness following being good but urges us to walk the middle road. The Letter to the Colossians asserts we have died with Christ to live with Him and reject things that drag us down. Friar Jude reminds us that Jesus, in the Gospel of Luke, warns us to avoid greed and live for heavenly treasure.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, presents Jesus, A Wisdom Teacher and A Way of Life. Fr. Richard illustrates how Jesus’ wisdom differs from intellectual knowledge.
We are nudged by the Spirit to examine and follow the Life of Christ to be fully alive and avoid misdirection by vanity and pride.
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