July 31, 2022 WORD Reflection

WORD

"Vanity of vanities, says Qoheleth,

vanity of vanities! All things are vanity!

Here is one who has labored with wisdom and knowledge and skill,

and yet to another who has not labored over it,

he must leave property." (Ecclesiastes)

"Thus will it be for all who store up treasure for themselves

but are not rich in what matters to God." (Luke)

OBSERVE

We all know that we will bring nothing with us when we die.

Yet, we all work hard to have the things we want in this life as if we will not die.

All for what?

There are many reasons.

It may be that we do not want our children to experience the hardships of life.

Maybe it is for us to enjoy life with whatever comforts or conveniences it can offer us.

Or for some, it is for security against the uncertainties of old age.

Whatever the reason is. As Qoheleth laments, those who labor to have possessions in this world with skills and knowledge will leave whatever he gained to those people who have not worked for it.

Thus, the Gospel warned those who are storing wealth here on earth, but are negligent in storing treasures in heaven.

It will just be in vain because we do not control our lives. Tomorrow we may die.

We will leave whatever we worked for on this earth.

If we only work for the goods of this earth but not for the goods in heaven, then all is useless, a mere vanity of vanities, fleeting like the smoke.

RESPONSE

Heavenly Father, you have created the world for us to enjoy because you wanted us to be happy.

Yet, you also created heaven for us so that we may enjoy it with you for all eternity.

Remind us that life is not just about gaining things here on earth but to labor also for the things that are in heaven.

Amen.

DISCERN

Every weekdays and even weekends (for some), we go to our workplace because we need to earn a "living."

On Sundays, for one hour or two, we go to church to attend the Mass, then spend the rest of the day in the malls or somewhere else were we can enjoy the rest of the day.

Is this enough for us to be confident that we are storing up treasure in heaven?

In what ways are we going to store riches in heaven?