Ecclesiastes 1.2; 1.12-14; 2.18-23

1 2 Vanity of vanities, says the Teacher,
    vanity of vanities! All is vanity.

12 I, the Teacher, when king over Israel in Jerusalem,
13 applied my mind to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven; it is an unhappy business that God has given to human beings to be busy with.
14 I saw all the deeds that are done under the sun; and see, all is vanity and a chasing after wind. 

2: 18 I hated all my toil in which I had toiled under the sun, seeing that I must leave it to those who come after me
19 and who knows whether they will be wise or foolish? Yet they will be master of all for which I toiled and used my wisdom under the sun. This also is vanity.
20 So I turned and gave my heart up to despair concerning all the toil of my labours under the sun,
21 because sometimes one who has toiled with wisdom and knowledge and skill must leave all to be enjoyed by another who did not toil for it. This also is vanity and a great evil.
22 What do mortals get from all the toil and strain with which they toil under the sun?
23 For all their days are full of pain, and their work is a vexation; even at night their minds do not rest. This also is vanity.

 

REFLECTION

 You can see that a lot has been cut out of this reading, I would encourage you to read all the missing parts as it gives a broader understanding to the message we see in what is here. the write was the king of Isreal and, though not part of the reading, in verse 1 says they are the son of David. This would suggest it is Solomon and that it is written in his later life. After receiving the wisdom he asked for from God, he has lived his life to find meaning and to look at his search through wisdom. In the end he has found it all meaningless. Doing everything believing we will gain meaning for it or profit from it is a vain pursuit. He does come to realize we need to work, but it is more about working for today and to get enjoyment out of todays toil. Being happy to be able to eat and rest today. Chasing long term purpose is filled with disappointment. 

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Psalm 49.1-12

1 O hear this, all you peoples:

give ear, all you inhabitants of the world,

2 All children of earth, offspring of Adam:

both rich and poor alike.

3 For my mouth shall speak wisdom:

and the thoughts of my heart

shall be full of understanding.

4 I will incline my ear to a riddle:

and unfold the mystery to the sounds of the harp.

5 Why should I fear in the evil days:

when the wickedness of my deceivers surrounds me,

6 Though they trust to their great wealth:

and boast of the abundance of their riches?

7 No one may ransom another:

or give God a price for them,

8 So that they may live for ever:

and never see the grave;

9 For to ransom a life is so costly:

that it must be abandoned for ever.

10 For we see that the wise die:

and perish with the foolish and the ignorant,

leaving their wealth to others.

11 The tomb is their home for ever,

their dwelling-place throughout all generations:

though they called estates after their own names.

12 The rich without understanding:

are like the beasts that perish.

 

 

Colossians 3.1-11

1 So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, 3 for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory. 5 Put to death, therefore, whatever in you is earthly: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed (which is idolatry). 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming on those who are disobedient. 7 These are the ways you also once followed, when you were living that life. 8 But now you must get rid of all such things—anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive language from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have stripped off the old self with its practices 10 and have clothed yourselves with the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator. 11 In that renewal there is no longer Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all!

 

REFLECTION 

 Paul writes about the change a faith brings to how we see the world, act in the world. We live not to fulfil the earthly ways, but to live into the fulness of life God has offered us. Accepting Christ's sacrifice is wanting to let go of the mistakes made by chasing the earthly/worldly treasures and wanting to live in a life of the spirit and for a heavenly treasure. The worldly search is to satisfy the flesh and wants for things in the world, (5 ...fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed (which is idolatry).) This in turn leads to actions and behaviors to get them (8... anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive language from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, ...). The new life in Christs lives in the world but does not seek for the things of this world. They are mean to search more for finding the image of Christ in themselves and in others. to be at peace with who they are and what they have. To see themselves not by some social label but as children of God. 

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Luke 12.13-21

13 Someone in the crowd said to him, ‘Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.’ 14 But he said to him, ‘Friend, who set me to be a judge or arbitrator over you?’ 15 And he said to them, ‘Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.’ 16 Then he told them a parable: ‘The land of a rich man produced abundantly. 17 And he thought to himself, “What should I do, for I have no place to store my crops?” 18 Then he said, “I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.” 20 But God said to him, “You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?” 21 So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich towards God.’

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REFLECTION

I cannot help but feel Jesus was reflecting on Ecclesiastes when giving this parable. The man comes focused on wanting the material wealth and seeing Jesus as a just man and I assume with influence over his brother, tries to gain Jesus' support. Jesus sees socially that he has no authority and does not care about this man's situation. Instead, he warns him about greed and the trap it hides. Jesus' parable looks at a man who has been blessed with a great harvest and can hoard it to live off it for the rest of his life. Isn't that what we are all wanting? The thing is with all he could do with the wealth and the difference he could make, he is worried about his future, a future, he will not have. As he builds and prepares, he will miss the opportunity to live. This man will let the fight for the money dictate who he becomes and how he acts, believing it will make him happier and give him security. I believe if he got it, he would then become protective of it and destroy relationships because of it. Security in the world does not make us better people or lead us to better behavior. In fact, I find where wealth and security are the focus, of my work and life, there is a lack of generosity and fear. We are called to put wealth and materialism into a divine perspective. We live to honour God and care for creation. The work we do helps us live, but it does not define who we are or ensure our future and life. Like Ecclesiastes It is a chasing of the wind. Who we are ads we work is as important as what we gain from work. 

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