Vanity

Readings for Thursday December 11, 2008

First Reading:  Isaiah 41:13-20

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 145

Gospel:  Matthew 11:11-15

As a child growing up, one of my favorite cartoons was the Smurfs.  For those of you not familiar with the show it was about a small village of these mythical tiny blue elf-like creatures called the smurfs.  Each one had a name that corresponded to his or her character.  For example, "hefty smurf" was really into lifting weights, "brainy smurf" was an intellectual, etc.  One smurf in particular came to mind from reading today's readings, and that is "vanity smurf."  Vanity smurf thought that he was just the best looking and best smurf in the entire village, and in fact he even carried a mirror around all the time so that he could admire himself.  I think that it is safe to say that vanity smurf is not exactly the best teacher of being humble. 

I believe that vanity can be a sin that we can sometimes overlook, because it can easily be confused with high self-esteem or confidence.  Vanity is "excessive pride in one's appearance, qualities, abilities, and achievements."  This type of pride can really prevent us from our calling of living a life of humility and of actions that help us to be humble.  Vanity is something that we should each take a look at ourselves and see if this pride in ourselves is something that is bringing us closer to God or further from God.  

In today's gospel, Jesus tells us of the greatness of John the Baptist, and certainly a great prophet he was, but ... Jesus also informs us that "among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the Kingdom of heaven is greater than he."  I think a statement like that should put anybody in there place, no matter how great they believe (or are told) that they are.  Jesus reminds us that even though we can have good lives and that we can do great things with God's help, we will still fall short of true greatness and the glory of God until we reach heaven.  Let us not forget, that as great as we may think that we have it here on earth, there is still something greater ahead which we should be striving for; and we must be striving with God's help.   

Vanity has no place in our lives, let us not forget this.  

Father above, we thank you for the gift of this day.  Lord, help us to put our faith in you, and not in ourselves.  Lord it is because of you that we have a means for salvation, let us always remember you love and mercy for us.  Lord, increase our faith, hope, and love so that we can follow you without worrying about the consequences of this world, but only the consequences of not following your will.  Lord, we pray for all those who do not know you, change their hearts so that they can come to accept the love that you offer.  We ask this all through Christ our Lord.  Amen.