18^th Sunday in O.T. (C); August 4, 2019

Eccl 1:2; 2:21-23 Ps 95   Col 3:1-5,9-11 Lk 12:13-21

Deacon Jim McFadden

 

         I first came across the Book of Ecclesiastes in the early ‘60s when I heard The Byrds “Turn! Turn! Turn!”, which was adapted from Chapter 3. I really enjoyed the song, it was “groovy,” as we used to say, and hearing it encouraged me to read the entire Book, which I found to be very strange. It was strange because unlike the lyrics to the song, I found it to be a “Debbie Downer,” as it was an unrelenting treatment of the human condition.

         The author is Qoheleth is a self-described old man who has seen it all, done it all, experienced it all. He has enjoyed everything life has to offer: he is wealthy, he has knowledge, he is well respected, he has power, and he has enjoyed every creature comfort imaginable. If he were living today, he would be card-carrying member of the top 1%. And, “having it all,” he comes out with these words of wisdom: “Vanity of vanities…All things are vanity” (Eccl 1:2). Scripture scholars tells us that ‘vanity’ is something ephemeral, like an air-bubble—something very insubstantial. It’s like chasing after the wind.

So, Qoheleth has acquired the goods of the world, but he comes to the conclusion that it doesn’t matter. Why not?   I think he realized that who you are is far more important than what you have. That’s why this very strange and dark book is in the Bible. Who you are is always more important than having possessions Why? What you have will always pass and fade-away, which is a constant refrain throughout the Bible. Who you are is a matter of your moral and spiritual character. It’s a matter of soul. It is a matter of how you are made in God’s image. It’s a matter of who you are in relationship to God.

Now, the Gospel parable that Jesus tells us is making much the same point. Jesus effectively mocks the man who gives his allegiance to his wealth and security in the false assumption that they will bring him joy. He tells the story of a man who is already very wealthy and his wealth is going to expand dramatically because he’s had a good harvest. So, what does he do? He resolves to tear down his old barns and build bigger ones to store his added riches.

Then comes the devastating assessment of the rich man, who says to himself: “Now, as for you, you have so many good things stored up for many years, eat, drink, be merry” (Lk 12:19). There it is; here is the spiritual lie: namely, my possessions will make me happy and secure. It seems so obvious that this is an illusion, but at a very deep level we behave in such a way that belies our belief that our happiness is tied in some way to possessions. “The reason I’m insecure is that I don’t have enough money to buy what I want or provide for my old age…I am insecure because I don’t get enough respect, to quote Rodney Dangerfield. … I don’t have enough connections to get what I want….my group is vulnerable; it doesn’t have enough clout so we’ve got to assert ourselves aggressively; we’ve got to take back our country! “ Whatever our attachment is we convince ourselves that the more I have, the happier I’ll be. Well, it just isn’t true.

Listen to Jesus as he continues the parable: “You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you…” (v. 20b). Not your possessions, but your life—who you are! This night, your soul, your heart, your life, who you are will be required of you. “Thus,” Jesus says, “will it be for the one who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich in what matters to God” (v. 20c). People of God, here’s the hinge: thus it will be for those who think their attachments will give them security and happiness, but remain poor in what matters to God. And, what matter to God? –the quality of our hearts, of our souls! What matters is our character. It’s our heart that’s been developing through a whole series of moral choices either for or against love. We can choose either to love—to will the good of the other—or to fall into self-reference. Brothers and sisters, what God wants is to share his life with us so that we might become like him and reflect the wonder of his being. The old self, the false self is the one obsessed with earthly possessions. The new self, the True Self is Christ living in us; it’s the self that’s ordered to love. And, Paul says that when we’ve got that self, we are being renewed in the image of our Creator.

These readings are so great! Reflect upon them during the course of the week. They all point to that question: who are you, which matters infinitely more than what you have. Read Ecclesiastes and today’s Gospel again if you have any doubts. What matters is who you are. You are God’s beloved child created to rest ultimately in God’s love.