Thursday, September 25, 2014

What's the point?: Daily Mass Homily--Thursday, September 25th, 2014


            Our first reading comes from a fascinating book of the Bible—Ecclesiastes.  We heard the basic refrain from this text this morning: “Vanity of vanities, says Qoheleth, vanity of vanities!  All things are vanity!”  Ecclesiastes would be a good reading when we have a case of the Mondays as it basically asks the question, “What is the point?!”
            The author seeks fulfillment in a variety of ways—money, power, pleasure and wisdom.  Yet in each case he is left feeling empty and exclaims, “Vanity of vanities!”
            In his book You Can Understand the Bible Peter Kreeft (whose books I highly recommend to learn more about our faith), explains that Ecclesiastes asks the question that the rest of the Bible answers. 
            There is a point to our existence.  We are called to know, love and serve the Lord.  While God wants us to experience peace and contentment, each of us feels a longing that no earthly experience can fulfill.  Even in our faith, the graces we receive are signs that there is something more.
            The author of Ecclesiastes didn’t know the reality of heaven.  There is more to this life!  May we seek the peace only Christ can give and trust that while everything earthly is vain, God’s grace gives our life meaning now and for all eternity.

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