Catholic Word of the Day: ECCLESIASTES, 01-17-11

CatholicReference.net ^ | 01-17-11 | Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary

[Salvation]

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ECCLESIASTES

A book of the Old Testament, called in Hebrew Koheleth or in English "the Preacher." Once held to have been written by Solomon, now agreed that the author is unknown. The theme of the book is the transient character of all earthly goods, compared with the true wisdom that is found in the fear of the Lord. Though sober in tone, it is not pessimistic, since hope for happiness is held out to those who direct their lives according to reason and the will of God. (Etym. Greek ekkl_siastes, preacher; Hebrew Q_heleth.)

All items in this dictionary are from Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.

[Salvation]

Chapter 3 about Time is very consoling to me this morning.

[Salvation]

Catholic Word of the Day – links will be provided later by another FReeper.

 

Denial of Faith	Charisms of Service	Infanticide
Episcopal Conference	Eparchy	Righteous Anger
Ecclesiastes

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[RobRoy]

Ecclesiastes is my favorite old testament book, and whenever I touch it I read it beginning to end. I think it was probably written by Solomon and my take on it is that he is now an old man. He’s had the chicks, the Ferraris, the big screen TV, The homes in the Alps, on the French Riviera, etc., and in the end it is ALL a chasing after the wind.

And as was mentioned in the OP, it sounds very pessimistic, but is actually almost “New Testament” in it’s positive zinger at the end. It changes ones perception of what the author meant throughout the rest of the book.

For me it is VERY uplifting. To be fair, it may be because I am 57 now and can more understand just how much everything in this life really IS a chasing after the wind - and thank God for the better path He offers.