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Sunday, September 30, 2012

September 27, 2012 – Ecclesiastes 1:2-11 – Reflections of a Royal Philosopher


Vanity of vanities, says the Teacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity. What do people gain from all the toil at which they toil under the sun? A generation goes, and a generation comes, but the earth remains forever. The sun rises and the sun goes down, and hurries to the place where it rises. The wind blows to the south, and goes round to the north; round and round goes the wind, and on its circuits the wind returns. All streams run to the sea, but the sea is not full; to the place where the streams flow, there they continue to flow. All things are wearisome; more than one can express. The eyes is not satisfied with seeing, or the ear filled with hearing. What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done; there is nothing new under the sun. Is there a thing of which it is said, “See this is new?” It has already been, in the ages before us. The people of long ago are not remembered, nor will there be any remembered of people yet to come by those who come after them. 

Father Dan Donovan said that the Book of Ecclesiastes is the Book of Wisdom. Live into old ages, see children succeed. “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity” which means refrain or repeating. Nothing is done in vain.

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