MEDITATION TIPS 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time,
August 3, 2025

“Vanity of vanities, all is vanity” (Ecclesiastes 1:2)

　The “vanity” the Bible speaks of here is not nothingness, but rather something that holds richness and sanctity behind it. Indeed, everything in this world passes away. That is why the Bible tells us to seek what never passes away. The Gospel expresses this as “becoming rich before God” (cf. Luke 12:21). Later, Paul completes Ecclesiastes’ words by saying, “If I have not love, I am nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:2).

　The word “love” can be expressed in Japanese with various words such as kindness, compassion, and gratitude. Mr. Tadao Furuichi, an 85-year-old professional golfer, describes the “formula for miracles” as talent × effort × gratitude. He ran a camera shop in Kobe, but his home and store were destroyed in the Great Hanshin Earthquake. However, he noticed that the car he had parked in a lot away from his home had survived the fire, and inside it, he found his beloved golf bag. This was the only piece of household goods that remained, and at that moment, he resolved to make a living through golf. While people lost many things in the earthquake, what they gained in return was love for others, kindness, compassion, gratitude, and a positive mindset. Before the earthquake, he believed that a true hero was someone who could persevere no matter the circumstances. But after the earthquake, he realized that a true hero is someone who can be grateful for the ability to persevere.

　After the earthquake, he continued volunteer activities in the community and, in 2000, at the age of 59, he passed the professional golf test. He says, “No matter the circumstances, if you live honestly, without regret, and with a grateful heart, incredible power is born that can create miracles. Who creates these miracles? It is the people around you. Miracles do not happen by your own power.” This is what he calls the power of gratitude. In other words, if you live honestly, without regret, and with a grateful heart, those around you will support you. If you live honestly, honest people will gather around you. If you show gratitude to others, they will return the same gratitude. Such support from those around you becomes a great power, enabling you to unleash strength you never thought possible. In other words, you are not fighting alone; everyone is fighting alongside you. He calls this a miracle.

　“Gratitude enlarges, beautifies, and strengthens the human heart. No matter how skilled you are at golf, you cannot become a professional. Only strong people become professionals. And strong people are always grateful to those around them. That is why they become even stronger. I have observed this through various professional golfers.” He spoke these words as a professional golfer, but his words apply even more to the life of faith. Therefore, the words of Ecclesiastes can be rephrased as follows: “No matter how hard you try, if you do not express gratitude to those around you, all is vanity.” And always expressing gratitude to those around you is what it means to “be rich before God.” We often say “Thanks be to God” in prayer, but one who does not express gratitude to others cannot truly be grateful to God.

 　　　　　(Contributed by Father Yutaka Akabae)