Detachment

07-31-2022Weekly ReflectionFr. Anthony Okolo, CSSp

The author of the first reading from the book of Ecclesiastes says “Vanity of Vanities, says the preacher, All is vanity”. The author known as Qoheleth or a preacher, expounds the futility of excessive attachment to the passing things of this world. The author was engaged for many years in a philosophical exercise for the search of the meaning of life, but surprisingly reaches a conclusion of vanity of all human toils, which is said to have depressed him a little.

Thus, he says, “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity”. This conclusion is not to negate the necessity for hard work, which is very important for survival in life, but it is a warning against the excessive attachment to material things and greediness that has ruined the soul of our society. The passage is recommended for meditation to conclude that the important message to take away is the detachment of things in the world. According to a biblical scholar “the book of Ecclesiastes is part of the five scrolls read at Jewish great traditional feasts. It is also one of the most typical books of the Old Testament, a composition virtually unique in it’s genre that voices opinions seemingly contrary to the mainstream of biblical teaching.”

According to John Bergsma “Ecclesiastes may be regarded as the one Old Testament book that most poignantly articulates the question whose answer is Jesus Christ. It asks the rhetorical questions expressing the plight of human experience. Is there anything new under the sun? Who can show a man what be after him? Who can tell man how it will be? The answer to all these questions is the God man Jesus Christ?” He concludes by saying that “Ecclesiastes describes the hunger of the human heart that finds satisfaction in Jesus.”

The opening words of Jesus in today’s Gospel is “take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one’s life does not consist of possession.” The parable teaches us that life centered on greedy ambition and satisfaction is devoid of meaning. A genuinely fruitful life involves charity towards others and detachment from material goods. Jesus, in this gospel, is not against wealth or riches and it is not that this man was wealthy that brought him the condemnation. It is simply that he does not see beyond his nose. He simply wants to hoard everything for himself and himself alone. It is the selfish intent to consume the wealth in self-indulgence that is the vice. Every gift we have is a blessing from God, it may be your wealth, your wisdom, your oratory, your singing voice, your career, whatever it is, it is meant to be shared or scattered to reach others, whereas if you keep your blessing to yourself alone it can become toxic and capable of destroying the individual. This is the case of the wealthy man in today’s Gospel as he fails to use it to help other people. Let us today examine ourselves and how we have used the blessing and gifts God gave us to benefit other people. There is a great need for each of us to make an inner self-examination today of what I have that I need to share with others to benefit them. Any gift or blessing shared multiplies.

Happy Sunday to you all.

Fr. Tony Okolo

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