(Ec.1:2,2:21-23; Ps.90:3-6,12-14,17,95:7-8; Col.3:1-5,9-11; Lk.12:13-21) "If you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God." Yes, "all things are vanity!" without God. All is empty, for "like the changing grass" our life "wilts and fades"; we are turned "back to dust," and so what becomes of the earthly desires we pursue? Where do "immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and the greed that is idolatry" lead us but to the grave – and what do they do for us here but keep our hearts from what truly matters? See the difference between the man in our first reading who "labors under the sun" in "toil and anxiety of heart" and those in our psalm who "shout for joy and gladness" all their days, for the latter say to the Lord, "Prosper the work of our hands," putting all things into the care of Him who indeed holds all things in His loving embrace. One's heart is set on "what is on earth," and so he is blinded by the flesh into which he puts all his hopes. Like both the man in the crowd and the one in the parable of our gospel, his sights are set on his possessions and the feeding of his belly – both of which shall rot away. The other's heart, however, is set on "what is above." He is rich in "what matters to God" because he has died to the vain things of this earth, dying with Christ to their illusion and, so, rising with Christ to the life and glory of heaven. As one sinks into hell, the other rises to newness of life "in the image of [his] Creator." In what image is our own life made? What do we pursue with heart and soul as we tread this earth? Are we consumed by the mud at our feet, miring ourselves in selfishness and sin; or do we indeed rise above the greed which tempts our hearts to "eat, drink, be merry"? If we are truly raised with Christ as we proclaim as Christians, we would be seated at God's right hand with Him, knowing that He is our only refuge, our only God. But so many are distracted by the idolatrous images that surround us in this world. So many desire to be rich and famous, to satiate their appetites in gluttony and drunkenness, to do what pleases their flesh in sexual immorality. And what shall become of these but that the worm shall consume them and they will cry out with Qoheleth, "Vanity of vanities! All things are vanity!" Brothers and sisters, with Jesus and with Paul I encourage you to find the treasure that is meaningful in life. Set aside the earthly passions that drown the soul, and seek what is alive with Christ. We have a great call in this world to bring the Lord's light and life forward, to make Him present in our own flesh, in all our work. With Him in our hearts, nothing is done in vain, for such "bountiful harvest" as this is stored up for heaven, which shall never pass away. Let us make His resurrection our own; even as we die to the empty desires of this earth, let us rise unto God as a holy sacrifice. Written, read & chanted, and produced by James Kurt. Music: "Addictions: What Do You Say?" from Cleansing Human Frailty, fourth album of Songs for Children of Light, by James Kurt. ******* O LORD, let our lives this day be in line with your will, united to the glory of your only Son. YHWH, let us not store up treasures for ourselves, but think rather of you and the salvation of others. All is indeed vanity if like Qoheleth we set our sights on what is on earth, if we are preoccupied by our possessions. For these shall rot with the lusts of the flesh and we shall die with them. But if we set our hearts on you and on the things that are above, where Christ is seated at your right hand, then we shall be blessed with life everlasting. Your Son calls us to glory with Him in Heaven. He warns us of the emptiness of this earth and the riches hereon. He would turn our eyes to you and away from all greed and selfishness. He alone can prosper the work of our hands, LORD, for without Him we pass like the changing grass and nothing comes of our days. O LORD, let us not labor in vain but with the wisdom that comes from above, that we might not come to great misfortune but to eternal life in your presence. Remake us in the image of your Son.