Unremembered

There is no remembrance of former things;
neither shall there be any remembrance
of things that are to come
with those that shall come after.

Ironically, these ancient words from today’s first reading (Ecclesiastes 1:2-11) remain true today.

Many people today are tragically ignorant of history, leaving them ignorant of its lessons and vulnerable to the manipulations of the glib.

Today's first reading challenges us to dig into the riches of the past, such as the many gems contained in the book of Ecclesiastes.

But today’s first reading also reminds us of the futility of what we do.

Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher,
vanity of vanities; all is vanity.

What profit hath a man
of all his labour which he taketh under the sun?

***

The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be;
and that which is done is that which shall be done:
and there is no new thing under the sun.

There is no remembrance of former things;
neither shall there be any remembrance
of things that are to come
with those that shall come after.

In time, all things are forgotten, and at the end of time, the heavens and the earth itself will vanish with a roar.

But God forever is.

All things are indeed vanity, unless they are done in God.

We need to stop wasting our lives chasing after goals and desires that evaporate or rot in an instant.

We need to stop chasing after wind and start running with the Spirit of God, holy and immortal.

May God remember us in his mercy.