First Reading - Ecclesiastes 11:9-12:8
Gospel - Luke 9:43-45
What is the centrality of our life? The centrality of our life determines our actions, thoughts and words. If the centrality of our life consists of material objects, our actions, thoughts, and words will be accordingly. If the centrality of our life consists of spiritual things, our actions, thoughts and words will be so. The readings of today invite us to fix our centrality on spiritual things because they material things fail to support us till the end.
The first reading gives a beautiful reflection on the pains of old age, and an encouragement to enjoy youth and vigour while they last, though youth too, the age of dark hair, is vanity, an insubstantial breath of air. The painful realities of age are presented symbolically: sun, light, moon, stars, all grow dark. Limbs tremble and become bowed. Teeth no longer grind at the mill. The voice grows shrill and bird-like. To go uphill is an ordeal, and a walk is something to dread. Hair grows white as the almond-tree in blossom, and the caper-bush no longer stimulates, until eventually the silver thread is snapped. Earlier (3.21) Qoheleth had questioned whether the human has any advantage over the beast, whether the human spirit goes upwards as the spirit of the beast goes down to the earth. Now, more comfortingly, the dust returns to the earth and the breath to God who gave it.
The gospel continues with the passion prediction of Jesus. Jesus is admired by People after seeing the healing of the demoniac. Jesus rings a reminder for his disciples that they should not be carried away by the bundle of praises of people poured on him after the miracle. He once again reminds them that he is the suffering Messiah. However, the disciples fail to understand the sufferings of Jesus as the way to salvation for humanity and this mystery remains hidden from them. Why is this not perceived by them? It's because of their pre-conceived ideas of the Messiah as a politically powerful one. Perhaps they found it difficult to comprehend the suffering of the Messiah. The reminder of the suffering of Jesus was a pointer for his disciples to see spiritual values in his sufferings rather than material value. In fact, the journey to Jerusalem becomes the destination for spiritual advantage for the humanity in the sufferings of Jesus.
Dear friends, today we are challenged by the readings to figure out our centrality in life; is it spiritual or material. The first reading reminds that our physical life is represented by the material thing which strong at some point but does not remain the same. Jesus understood this fact and that's why he is not deterred by the praises of the people nor his disciples. On the other hand, he reminds his disciples to see Jerusalem as his destiny. Jerusalem stands out to be the center of renewal for humanity because of Jesus. Jesus breaks the barrier of wall for the nation and welcomes everyone for a renewed life in him. Jerusalem is figuratively the centre of spiritual aspirations. The aspirations of disciples of Jesus and people seem to be material but passion prediction of Jesus directs them to seek spiritual aspirations in Jesus, a renewal within. It's also an invitation for us to seek spiritual aspirations in Jesus.
What is our Jerusalem towards which our heart, mind and soul is directed? Is it material things or spiritual? Jesus reminds us to fix our gaze on Jerusalem that brings changes in us in sofar as Jesus himself is concerned. Are we ready for a change?
May the good Lord become the centre of our spiritual life.
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