(Ecclesiastes1:2, 2:21-23; Psalm 90; Colossians 3:1-5, 9-11; Luke 12:13-21)
Today we are asked to consider ‘’what are the things in our life which are really important?’ The answer to this can be different depending on what stage of life we are in. For example, I remember years ago, when I was struggling financially hearing a fellow parishioner say that money was not important. Inside I was thinking that it isn’t important until you don’t have enough to pay the bills; then it becomes really important. But that parishioner was right, there are far more important things in life, than money. For example, currently in Gaza, the wealthy are starving just as much as the poor, money cannot help the people imprisoned in Gaza, they are all being starved to death. The people are being punished for the acts of the terrorists, and those who are dealing out the punishment seem incapable of mercy. CafOD have issued an urgent appeal[1] for aid to help those suffering. In their appeal they quote Cardinal Pizzaballa, the Patriarch of Jerusalem “Humanitarian aid is not only necessary — it is a matter of life and death,” he continued. “To refuse it is not merely a delay, but a sentence. Every hour without food, water, medicine or shelter inflicts profound harm.” They have also appealed directly to the Government to push for a ceasefire to allow the aid to be distributed.
In the first reading today, we hear the expression ‘vanity of vanities’, when I think of vanity I often think of pride, of admiring oneself or one’s achievements; but that is only part of what the author is trying to tell us. The word ‘vanity’ has been translated from the Hebrew word ‘hevel’ which means a breath or a vapour. Hevel is, in fact, one of several words the Hebrew Bible has for breath, including ruach (which also means wind and air) and neshama (breath of life, soul). But while ruach and neshama have profoundly positive connotations, referring to that which animates life and even God, heveldoes not. Instead, it highlights the negative qualities of breath — namely, its insubstantiality and transience.[2] For example in the Book of Genesis, the name given to Abel in Hebrew is Hevel, illustrating how short his life was when he was killed by his own brother. The reading is telling us that some of the things we worry about are so unimportant and short lived that we don’t need to worry about them; encouraging us to concentrate on what we need to do, to be closer to God.
Likewise in the second reading St Paul is encouraging us to think about things which lead us to Christ: to subdue earthly passions and desires, to be truthful with one another and to try and be like Jesus. We are urged to see each other as members of the Body of Christ. St Paul is saying it doesn’t matter where we started from, but it definitely matters how we finish.
In the Gospel we hear Jesus warn the voice in the crowd to ‘guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of one’s possessions.’ He is telling us not to be greedy and gives a parable of a wealthy man who when he had plenty decided to build additional stores to horde his wealth. Jesus highlights the folly of this when the wealthy man died that very evening and would never be able to enjoy his wealth. Jesus is telling us that wealth and possessions are hevel, temporary, gone in a breath.
One of the first thoughts I had when I read this week’s readings was of the adage of the man who plants a tree knowing that he will never sit in its shade. He is doing this for those who will come after him. His children or grandchildren will appreciate the shade and perhaps enjoy any fruit the tree bears. How much better the world would be if we all thought more about how we can help others than how we can help ourselves.
There are many things in our own lives which we would benefit from reviewing. What do we have that we no longer need and someone else could benefit from? How am I spending my time? Could I give some or more to others by volunteering or just lifting the phone to call a parishioner to see how their day, week or month is going? We often say that we don’t have the time to do something, yet I know from my own experience that it’s more about not making the time to do it! So from today, I encourage you to think on these readings, reflect and act on what you are prompted to do.
Further Reading
The Catechism of the Catholic Church
Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
CCC 661, 1042-1050, 1821: hope for a new heaven and a new earth
CCC 2535-2540, 2547, 2728: the disorder of covetousness
Please keep in your prayers this week
- Those who are sick, housebound or in hospital, that the care they receive matches all of their needs.
- All those on holiday or who are travelling, that they have a safe trip and re-charge their batteries.
- Those waiting for the results of medical tests, examinations or scans, that the results can pinpoint the treatment they may need; or alleviate their fears.
- Those waiting on the results of academic exams, that they may be rewarded for the work they have put in and that whatever the results are they can see the path God wants them to take.
- Our Pastoral Area as we continue to take the first steps towards moving from Maintenance to Mission.
- Peace in the world, and a de-escalation of the situations where war has already commenced or appears to be inevitable.
- Fr Stephen as he prepares to come to the pastoral area and for the parishioners and relationships he leaves behind
- For the ongoing success of the Alpha programme and the Holy Spirit Day this Sunday.
- That a way to feed the starving in Gaza can be found that is fair and does not pose a danger to those who are starving or the aid workers.
- Fr John as he heads off to Medjugorje and Fr Paul as he returns from his break.
Deacon Tony
31st July 2025.
[2] “All Is Vanity!” How to Understand Ecclesiastes’ Famous Lament | My Jewish Learning