I have often wondered what our Creator’s intentions for Ecclesiastes 1:2-11 is?

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?

Ecclesiastes 1:2-3 NRSVCE

A young person once argued that “vanity” was akin to a loss of ‘meaning’ (meaningless (sic)). Is that not taking the sacred writer’s intent too far? Earlier corollaries of the meaning of vanity point to futility (i.e., in vain), while latter day allusions to narcissistic leanings (I am vain) increasingly dominate the modern interpretation.

Respectful of this reflective passage’s grounding in Biblical historicity, various perspectives of interpretation can lend richness to the verses.

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 around 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 eye 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 remembrance of people yet to come by those who come after them.

Ecclesiastes 1:3-11 NRSVCE

First, one sense the desire for permanence as a counter-narrative to the shifting sands of time, an anchor against the constant displacements of change. For if our heart is still, grounded, and in the present, would we still embark on a circular exercise in anxiety? Or is it still worth striving, to continue to seek, live, and labor in the infinitesimal opportune time (kairos), opening ourselves to God’s calling to participate and contribute to the overall journey?

For if we set aside our singular desire for ownership of participation – in favor of being equal and transients pathfinders for as yet an indeterminate future, we can even aspire to be pilgrims and stewards in search of the final reward, but neither seek to be authors nor scribes in the final vision.  

There is nothing new under the sun. For memories neither last nor can be fully recordable to infinity. In accepting that we are neither guardians or gatekeepers, but fellow travelers, and that our purpose and mission is only ever fully fulfilled when the seed dies, (Jn 12:24) we can accept our role as the Shepherd’s servant, even onto treacherous rocks that may befall us along the way.    

Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.

Jn 12:24

Pope Benedict XVI once catechised that “the school of faith is not a triumphal march but a journey marked daily by suffering and love, trials and faithfulness.” We would do well to internalize that statement of humility and to see Ecclesiastes 1:2-11 in new light as a message of hope – that nothing worth doing is ever in vain – except when it is for the sake of vanity.

Peter the Apostle, General Audience Wednesday 24th May 2006, in Jesus, the Apostles and the Early Church. Pope Benedict XVI. Ignatius Press. 2007

Lumix DMC GX85 124mm f5 1/160s ISO2000. Jul 2020