Psalms 49:5-9, 16-19
Why should I fear in times of trouble, when the iniquity of my persecutors surrounds me, men who trust in their wealth and boast of the abundance of their riches?
Truly no man can ransom himself, or give to God the price of his life, for the ransom of his life is costly, and can never suffice, that he should continue to live on for ever, and never see the Pit.
Be not afraid when one becomes rich, when the glory of his house increases.
For when he dies he will carry nothing away; his glory will not go down after him.
Though, while he lives, he counts himself happy, and though a man gets praise when he does well for himself, he will go to the generation of his fathers, who will never more see the light.
Homily:
“Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher.
“Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.” – Ecclesiastes 1:2