Introduction to Ecclesiastes
by Fr. David M. Knight
Thursday, September 26, 2024
Twenty-Fifth Week of the Year
Lectionary 452
Eccl 1:2-11/Lk 9:7-9
According to the Introduction to New American Bible, the title of the book “Ecclesiastes”, is the Greek translation of the Hebrew name Qoheleth, meaning, perhaps, "one who convokes an assembly." The book is concerned with the purpose and value of human life. While admitting the existence of a divine plan, it considers such a plan to be hidden from mortals, who seek happiness without ever finding it here below. Qoheleth applies his "Vanity of vanities" to everything "under the sun," even to that wisdom which seeks to find at last a semblance of good in the things of the world. Merit does not yield happiness, for it is often tried by suffering. Riches and pleasures do not avail. Existence is monotonous, enjoyment fleeting and vain; darkness quickly follows. Life, then, is an enigma beyond human ability to solve.
Ecclesiastes 1:2-11 was inspired to give us a taste of what our attitude might be without the light of Christ. “Vanity of vanities! All things are vanity!” If life has no purpose, or it is unknown to us, what value can we see in anything we do? “What profit have mortals from all the labor which they toil at under the sun?” No lasting change is going to take place: “What has been done, that will be done. Nothing is new under the sun.”
Actually, Qoheleth knew better. When God intervened in history to guide the Jews to a destiny, something new was happening. And the “God of steadfast love” already guaranteed a permanence that became a fact in Jesus and his body, the Church. When we call Christ the “Rising Dawn,” the eternal light of God shining in a different way every day, we say there is “something new” with every sun. Christians read this passage of Ecclesiastes for contrast between what seems to be and what is.
However, Qoheleth is giving a clearer picture of reality than those have who just go through life without reflecting. If we don’t seek the ultimate values and fulfillment faith promises, then yes, “Vanity of vanities! All is vanity!” Nothing lasts, nothing gives complete or enduring happiness. The Greek was right who wrote for his epitaph:
Naked at my birth;
Naked back to earth;
What’s it worth?
Luke 9:7-9: To those without faith, the life and ministry of the Church should be inexplicable. After the apostles’ first mission tour, Herod
heard about all that had taken place, and he was perplexed, because it was said by some that John had been raised from the dead.
The “powers at work” in Jesus and his disciples could not be explained humanly. So there had to be something divine at work. When Christians live for the destiny God has revealed, our lives should be inexplicable also. Our lifestyle should bear witness to a meaning and purpose that transcend this world. If there is none, “All is vanity.”
Initiative: Look to the end. Live for it. Visibly.
Reflections brought to you by the Immersed in Christ Ministry
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