The Book of Ecclesiastes presents a short and sharp message about our earthly life. At the same time, as happens frequently in the Holy Scriptures, much appears that a reader may find confusing and even contradictory in this book. St. Jerome wrote an exceedingly insightful commentary on Ecclesiastes, laying plain its meaning in his customary down-to-earth manner. Here, he discusses the famous opening words:
" 'Vanity of vanities, said Ecclesiastes, vanity of vanities, and all things are vanity.' Now, if all the things which God made are exceedingly good, how are all things not only 'vanity', but even 'vanity of vanities'? Just as the title 'Song of Songs' indicates an excellent song among all the other songs, so the words 'vanity of vanities' indicates the magnitude of the vanity. In Psalm 38, 6, it is written: 'And indeed, all is vanity -- every living man.' If every living man is vanity, then death is the 'vanity of vanities'. We read in the Book of Exodus that the face of Moses was glorified in such a way that the children of Israel could not look upon him. The Apostle Paul, comparing that glory with the glory of the Gospel, said that, in fact, it was not glory: 'For that which once was glorified is not glorified now, because of the glory that surpasses it' (2 Corinthians 3, 10). Therefore, we can say, in this way, that the heavens, the earth, the seas, and all which is contained within this sphere, are good in and of themselves, but they are nothing in comparison with God. And just as I should be content to see with the little light of a lamp after the sun sets, although I might not see what it is shining on, but I should see the light of the stars when it is not hidden by the light of the sun; so, beholding the elements and the great variety of things in the world, indeed, I do admire the greatness of God's works, but I recognize that all things pass away, that the world grows old as it nears its end, and that God alone shall always exist. And so, I am compelled to say not once, but twice, 'Vanity of vanities, all things are vanity.' "
Father, Thanks for posting this. It brings back my reaction when I heard the reading, which was "ouch", especially when I heard : "For what profit comes to man from all the toil 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." How much time I've wasted with a vain "anxiety of heart"! All I can do now is thank Him for the revelation and ask Him to help me not waste any time today with such anxiety...
ReplyDeleteSt. Jerome does not mince words or obscure his meaning. I found his observation that, "the world grows old as it nears its end," particularly poignant. I have put this book on my list of patristic works to translate before I get much nearer my own end.
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