Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 53:1-15 The Reception of Guests
Mass: Ecc 1:2; 2:21-23; Resp Ps 90; Col 3:1-5, 9-11; Lk 12:13-21
Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain wisdom of heart.
Just before I sat down to write a reflection for today, I thought of two things. First, the saying "you can't take it with you." Second, something an English friend used to say, "Everything will come round right." I use these thoughts in relation to our readings from Mass on this Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time.
Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one's life does not consist of possessions. We have heard it said many times: "You can't take it with you." The author of the Book of Ecclesiastes declares, All things are vanity! We are too busy and anxious. Therefore, think of what is above, not of what is on earth, and "everything will come round right."
While looking through the Book of Ecclesiastes, I went to the Epilogue (12:9-13). There I discovered something worth reading. Qoheleth is the literary name for the man thought to be the author of the Book of Ecclesiastes.
Besides being wise, Qoheleth taught the people knowledge, and weighed, scrutinized and arranged many proverbs. Qoheleth sought to find pleasing sayings, and to write down true sayings with precision. The sayings of the wise are like goads; like fixed spikes are the topics given by one collector. As to more than these, my son, beware. Of the making of many books there is no end, and in much study there is weariness for the flesh.
The last word, when all is heard: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is man's all; because God will bring to judgment every work, with all its hidden qualities, whether good or bad.
THINK OF WHAT IS ABOVE, NOT OF WHAT IS ON EARTH. FOR YOU HAVE DIED, AND YOUR LIFE IS HIDDEN WITH CHRIST IN GOD. WHEN CHRIST YOUR LIFE APPEARS, THEN YOU TOO WILL APPEAR WITH HIM IN GLORY.
The last word, when all is heard: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is man's all; because God will bring to judgment every work, with all its hidden qualities, whether good or bad.
THINK OF WHAT IS ABOVE, NOT OF WHAT IS ON EARTH. FOR YOU HAVE DIED, AND YOUR LIFE IS HIDDEN WITH CHRIST IN GOD. WHEN CHRIST YOUR LIFE APPEARS, THEN YOU TOO WILL APPEAR WITH HIM IN GLORY.
Tell me, what else should I have done?
Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon?
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?
(Mary Oliver)
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