Thursday, 26 September 2024. 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 being 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—a Mercedes-190. The last time I saw that type of car, it was being used to transport bags of cement.
- There is nothing in this life worth killing another person for. Nothing. Today’s first reading is worth pondering to anyone involved in Yahoo Plus (ritual killing) and those considering it. What will you gain by taking another person’s life? Everything in this world is just a mere breath. You will get tired of everything one day. 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 that he was John the Baptist who had risen to life. 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?
- 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 contended 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: Almighty, ever-living God, bless me with wisdom to see the emptiness of this life so that I may refrain from taking anyone’s life. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever 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. Bible Study: Ecclesiastes 1:2-11, Ps. 90:3-6,12-14,17, Luke 9:7-9).
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu
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