Posted on August 1, 2025 View all Gospel Reflection
“Vanity of vanities! All things are vanity!” (Eccl. 1:2)
This Sunday our readings call us to reflect on how we live our lives and in particular what are the things we put the most work into.
The first line of our first reading from Ecclesiastes reminds us “Vanity of vanities! All things are vanity!” What is vanity? I think the common understanding of vanity is something that is superficial. Perhaps something that is fleeting in value? In this book a person who seems to identify themselves as Solomon go through a series of thoughts and reflections about the meaning of life. The book itself is a bit on the down side when it comes to examining the purpose of life. But despite this perspective, it has a place of honor in the Church as a book that helps us in the purgative way of Christian spiritual tradition. It also might be jarring to imagine King Solomon as being unsatisfied and even disappointed or disillusioned about his earthly successes. Recall in sacred scripture how Jesus praised Solomon by saying “the queen of the south … came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon.” (Matt. 12:42) In fact if we look at the early moments of King Solomon’s reign we see how when the Lord God asked him in a dream what he wanted from Him, King Solomon answered “Give your servant, therefore, a listening heart to judge your people and to distinguish between good and evil. For who is able to give judgment for this vast people of yours?” (1 Kings 3:9)
It was with this great wisdom that King Solomon reigned and wrote the various books in the Old Testament. It was with this great humility that he began to realize how everything depended upon God’s great love and that we are nothing compared to His greatness. But Jesus came to remind us that even in spite of our “littleness”, God so loved the world that He sent his only Son so that everyone who believes in Him might not perish but might have eternal life. (cf. John 3:16)
With this perspective of King Solomon, we look at the Gospel and hear Jesus give the parable of a rich man who had a bountiful harvest. When he realized that he did not have enough space to store his harvest, he built larger barns. What is striking here is that Jesus did not criticize the rich man for having a bountiful harvest. Rather, it was the response of the rich man. This man decided that he wanted to keep the excess harvest for himself so that he could rest, eat, drink and be merry. It apparently did not cross his mind to give the extra harvest to others who might be in need. It did not occur to him to give thanks to God and offer that to the temple or others. It was all for himself. For this reason, Jesus has God say to this rich man “’You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you; and the things you have prepared, to whom will they belong?’” (Luke 12:20)
In our daily lives we strive to accomplish goals and provide for ourselves and our families. And that is important. He often illustrated how a good father provides for his family in the same way that God cares and provides for each of us. But all too often, we get distracted by the earthly demands and worries and we lose sight of the big picture. Jesus told the people before him “Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one’s life does not consist of possessions.” (Luke 12: 15)
This reminder and the words from Ecclesiastes help us to refocus our life on the things that will endure. These words remind us that the many things we strive to accomplish on earth are but passing vanities compared to the great treasures in heaven that await us. Jesus reminds us to store up treasures in heaven. “For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.” (Matthew 6:21). Let our hearts truly be focused on the Lord who has promised us eternal life.
