LIFE IS MEANINGFUL BECAUSE THERE IS GOD

1st Reading Eccl 1:2-11 and Gospel Lk 9:7-9

From today onwards, the first reading comes from the book of Ecclesiastes, for three days. Ecclesiastes, in Hebrew, is also called Qohelet, (Preacher), and is considered one of the Old Testament books of wisdom literature. The book starts with the frustrating (but important) message of the author: "Everything in this world is vain, meaningless or useless". 

The Hebrew word "Habel" was used to refer to Vanity or meaninglessness. The origin of this Hebrew word will surprise us, that is (h)Abel, which was also the name of one of the sons of Adam-Eve. The Hebrew in those times was written  without vowels. (HBL makes also the name of Abel). 

Abel was righteous to God. He offered a more excellent sacrifice than Cain. Even though he found favor from the Lord, he was brutally killed . Why the good Abel was killed and the evil Cain lived? Neither God, nor his sacrifice could save him from his brother. This was the background of usage of this term by the author of Ecclesiastes, "Everything is vain, meaningless and useless". 

The author says that Labor is vain. I clean my room in the morning and it is dirty again the next day. Many people work hard in their life and after their sudden death, people never remember their work in their life. The author says "Nothing is new under the sun". The initiative you have done, is done by someone in the corner of the world. Since there are no new things happening in this world, everything is vain, the author says. 

How can we understand the message of Ecclesiastes? The relationship with God is the best relationship than any other human relationship. It never fails or leaves you down. Even though it seems that God has abandoned you sometimes. But God's relationship is better than any other human relationship which is always limited. 

Today's Gospel tells us how Herod was anxious to see Jesus (cf. Lk 9:9). Such an urge to see Jesus was born out of curiosity. Because Jesus was performing great miracles. But some people seek God because there is life. For Jesus told the disciples, "why do you come to me? are you also not leaving like others". The response from one of his disciples was, "Lord, where shall we go? for you have words of Eternal life?" 

Life is meaningless without God. But God gives meaning to everything .