Daily reflection _ where to put our hope

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.  
Deacon John Ruscheinsky
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!