Vanity Vanity all is Vanity - - - -
Vanity Vanity all is Vanity….
The first reading taken from the book of Ecclesiastes sets the theme and tone for the readings this 18th Sunday in ordinary time.
Vanity is defined as excessive pride in ones appearance or accomplishments. Excessive pride in our accomplishments is vanity Ecclesiastes continues “All his days sorrow and grief is his occupation. Even at nights his mind is not at rest”.
Have you ever spent sleepless nights wondering how to maintain a life style that your current income cannot support? Keeping up with the Jones family who has what appears to be a perfect life.
It might surprise many to learn that this seemingly perfect family is trying to keep up with the Smith family. The average family is carrying a credit card debt of about $9,000.00. Vanity all is vanity.
Today’s second reading taken from the book of Colossians continues the excess theme. Put to death the parts that are earthly immorality impurity passion evil desires and greed.
Excessive focus on our desires wants and supposed needs are vanity. As Christians we are new creatures in Christ. We are to put to death vanity laden excesses.
The gospel reading from Luke for today focuses on a parable of a rich man who demonstrates for us that material excess to the loss of ones soul as vanity.
He has a bountiful harvest and wonders to himself what shall I do? His storage facilities are not large enough to store the harvest. This is what I shall do. He decides to tear down his existing barns and build bigger barns. Today we don’t bulldoze barns we rent storage facilities to store our excess. When he completes his construction project and gets his harvest stored he says now as for you rest, eat drink and be merry. You have goods stored up for many years to come.
But God says you fool this night your life will be required of you. Oops! Just about the time we seem to have every thing in hand God says….
Notice the vast difference between the rich mans view of his circumstances and God’s.
First there is the sudden death that we never seem to take into account. Won’t happen to me, think not glance at the obituaries on any given day and you will see death is no respected of age.
The rich man had not considered death in his near future. He was ready to relax and party. He had a plans that did not include a spiritual score card if you will. He was possessed with a retirement plan.
God poses a question to the rich man about who will own his possessions following his death. No answer is recorded. The rich man had never considered that someone else might enjoy the fruits of his labor.
The second difference between the two opposing views is this attitude. This parable is not simply about the dangers of possessions.
The rich man had a problem, came up with a workable solution and problem solved. Notice no consideration is given to how God might be involved in this problem solving exercise.
Simply put what role dose God play in our everyday lives? Are we willing to allow God to make his presence felt in our lives? Or do we simply go about our business like the rich man thinking and planning for a future that may not ever come. He was rich in worldly things but not rich in what matters to God.
Spend some quiet time today reflecting on what matters to God.
Vanity Vanity all is Vanity…….
Remember all vanities are not dressers.
The first reading taken from the book of Ecclesiastes sets the theme and tone for the readings this 18th Sunday in ordinary time.
Vanity is defined as excessive pride in ones appearance or accomplishments. Excessive pride in our accomplishments is vanity Ecclesiastes continues “All his days sorrow and grief is his occupation. Even at nights his mind is not at rest”.
Have you ever spent sleepless nights wondering how to maintain a life style that your current income cannot support? Keeping up with the Jones family who has what appears to be a perfect life.
It might surprise many to learn that this seemingly perfect family is trying to keep up with the Smith family. The average family is carrying a credit card debt of about $9,000.00. Vanity all is vanity.
Today’s second reading taken from the book of Colossians continues the excess theme. Put to death the parts that are earthly immorality impurity passion evil desires and greed.
Excessive focus on our desires wants and supposed needs are vanity. As Christians we are new creatures in Christ. We are to put to death vanity laden excesses.
The gospel reading from Luke for today focuses on a parable of a rich man who demonstrates for us that material excess to the loss of ones soul as vanity.
He has a bountiful harvest and wonders to himself what shall I do? His storage facilities are not large enough to store the harvest. This is what I shall do. He decides to tear down his existing barns and build bigger barns. Today we don’t bulldoze barns we rent storage facilities to store our excess. When he completes his construction project and gets his harvest stored he says now as for you rest, eat drink and be merry. You have goods stored up for many years to come.
But God says you fool this night your life will be required of you. Oops! Just about the time we seem to have every thing in hand God says….
Notice the vast difference between the rich mans view of his circumstances and God’s.
First there is the sudden death that we never seem to take into account. Won’t happen to me, think not glance at the obituaries on any given day and you will see death is no respected of age.
The rich man had not considered death in his near future. He was ready to relax and party. He had a plans that did not include a spiritual score card if you will. He was possessed with a retirement plan.
God poses a question to the rich man about who will own his possessions following his death. No answer is recorded. The rich man had never considered that someone else might enjoy the fruits of his labor.
The second difference between the two opposing views is this attitude. This parable is not simply about the dangers of possessions.
The rich man had a problem, came up with a workable solution and problem solved. Notice no consideration is given to how God might be involved in this problem solving exercise.
Simply put what role dose God play in our everyday lives? Are we willing to allow God to make his presence felt in our lives? Or do we simply go about our business like the rich man thinking and planning for a future that may not ever come. He was rich in worldly things but not rich in what matters to God.
Spend some quiet time today reflecting on what matters to God.
Vanity Vanity all is Vanity…….
Remember all vanities are not dressers.
