By Stephen Langsianmunga Malneu csc –
Readings: Ecl 1:2-11; Lk 9: 7-9
All is vanity. The first reading tells us about the ambiguity of life. Some people are born and gone, but life still goes on. Everybody strives for perfection because all of us want success, fame, wealth, etc. No matter the hurdles we may face, nothing can prevent us from achieving what we really want. For that, we have to put in extra-time, energy, efforts, struggles and pain which will become part of our life. After having achieved such things, the result will not really give us inner happiness and satisfaction.
Experts and scientists may discover or invent new things, there may be social change and development, our thinking patterns may change, but there is nothing new under the sun.
Therefore, everything seems meaningless! If so then, what are we looking for? In order to find meaning in life, we must be optimistic. The ambiguities of life invite us to stand before God in humble submission.
God alone is the source of our lasting happiness. When we do not give place for God in our life; we end up with doubts, uncertainties, fear, and tension. This is what happened to King Herod in the gospel. He was worried because the name of Jesus had become a threat to his life. This is an invitation for us to become more aware of ourselves that there is nothing to fear or doubt or worry when God becomes the center of our lives. All that we lack in life, our necessities, fear, and tension would give us answers with lasting happiness only when we accept God in our lives.