WHERE TO PUT OUR HOPE
By becoming
human Jesus shows that there is a deep value to human existence on this earth
and in the world to come.
The first reading
today is the bleakest and most pessimistic passage in the entire Bible.
Although the author believes in God, he has the mindset that it is impossible
to make much sense out of life. A blind trust in God is needed. He sees life as
vanity of vanities! All things are vanity! The Hebrew word which he uses means
"breath." By this word he wishes to say that life is something
unsubstantial, fleeting or transitory.
We can best
understand this passage by seeing it as a view of life without God, especially
without the revelation of His Son, Jesus. A great truth has come to us about
human existence, not only by the teachings of Christ Jesus but simply by the
fact that, though Divine, He chose to become human like us in all things but
sin. By becoming human Jesus shows that there is a deep value to human
existence on this earth and in the world to come. As we reflect upon all this
we come to the reality that most of us live rather simple lives. We can make no
pretense to having an effect on the course of history in this country, like the
president or dictators. We do our work and offer our gifts to the community we
live in; we eat, sleep, and especially today, have little free time for the
honest pleasures of life. Before we know it, our time will pass like those who
have gone before us. Our name probably will not be recorded in the history
books, but we are in God's mind and in His Heart, for we are all wonderfully
made!
Today, the psalmist
shows us where we should always put our hope. "In every age, O Lord, You
have been our refuge" (Ps 90:1). As St. Teresa of Avila so wisely
observed, "Let nothing disturb you, nothing frighten you. All things are
passing, only God satisfies." I challenge you to take time to survey all
the gifts God has given you in your lives and treasure and prioritize what is
most important to you.
Jesus Christ has
revealed the Good News to us - we are called to live together with Him forever;
with "God Who is from eternity to eternity" (Ps 90:2). Our Father
invites us to share in the gifts that are not vanity, for we share in the
Eucharist, the Bread of Life. Now that truly is Good News!