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Winepress Publishing, ISBN 1-57921-260-3
Now all has been heard; Here is the conclusion of the matter: ...
-- Ecclesiastes12:13
Why would John Cassian choose the Book of Ecclesiastes as a guide to spiritual growth? So much seems to contradict monastic ideas. Far from requiring renunciation, resignation and austerity, the Preacher urges making the most of life by engaging it wisely and constructively, despite its brevity and shortcomings. He extols joy rather than mourning, and activism over withdrawal. I suspect Cassian looked beyond apparent paradoxes and enigmas to discover the Preacher’s understanding of death and God’s judgment as encouragements to trust God. While not always conventional, that trust must be deep enough to question God in the midst of despair while remaining faithful. The Preacher’s trust runs deep enough to search the mind of God without settling for slogans and strong enough to think for himself without weakening in his conviction of God’s justice.Somewhat like John Cassian, the Preacher speaks to his audience like an elderly uncle, in the quiet words of the wise (9:17). They work like subtle goads rather than constant jabs that inflame. His words flow from insight into observation and experience, not institutional authority. The Preacher addresses his audience more as friends than as wayward sons, like the anxious father figure speaking in Proverbs.Ecclesiastes gives Cassian would no final prescription for a life of spiritual growth, although the Preacher points to active discipleship as a source of joy that does not fail with age. He extols joy seven times[i] and has learned to find joy in toil itself, metaphorically. He finds scant joy in accomplishments, however, because they are ephemeral (hebel). He sees God’s hand in all of life and death as a part of life. Yet the Preacher leaves no rules because he objects to foprmalization of his legacy. He resists any legalisms of human origin that might replace the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4-5) as outward forms of religion devoid of devotion and loving engagement. Any rules the Preacher might offer would stifle joy, lead to vain striving, and produce despair in old age. He declines to endorse anything wearisome that might promote hebel—temporariness and futility.
Parting Thought
This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.
— John 3:19-21
Prayer Concern
That everyone reading this finds meaning and purpose in life through Jesus Christ.
Next comes the introduction to Solomon's Song of Songs.
For further reading:
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