If you reflected at all on this reading from the Book of Ecclesiastes it had to have been and eyeopening event. I have listened to this reading, as you have, for many years, yet today is the day of wonder for me. I was taught as a child that vanity is a sin. In fact it is listed as one of the Seven Deadly Sins along with gluttony, covetousness, lust, anger, envy, and sloth. A good explanation of vanity can be found at Catholic Culture. org.
Most of all I was struck by these words, "For what profit comes to man from all the toils and anxiety of heart with which he has labored under the sun? All his days sorrow and grief are his occupation; even at night his mind is not at rest. This also is vanity." (Ecclesiastes 2: 22-23)
Our world is full of vanity. Why else would we be in a constant state of anxious labor? Vanity tells us we can do it on our own. So instead of trusting in Providence we lose sleep at night. We over compensate, worry and find our only satisfaction in successes that are short lived, instead of relying on the source of all creation. Yes, vanity!!!! There this is the word for it and today I came to realize it. Yes, and something else. "[C]hrist is all and in all (Colossians 3: 11)!
~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God!
Ecclesiastes is a very complicated book for me. I find that I cannot read too much at one time, for it boggles me. It is a very powerful book that provokes a lot of self-analysis. It's all good!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the post and have a great week!
Abbey♥
You always bring such interesting issues to my attention. I like to get this contemplative moment with you each week.
ReplyDeleteHave a great Monday Cathy,
xoxo