Memorial of Saint Vincent de Paul, priest
(Ecclesiastes 3:1-11; Luke 9:18-22)
Today’s first reading has gained more attention than any
other passage in Ecclesiastes. People
admire its poetry – how its comparatively few lovely images seem to encompass
all of life’s experiences. But, along
with the prose explanation concluding the passage, Qoheleth reveals a profound insight
into human affairs.
In the passage’s explanation Qoheleth says that God has put eternity
(the “timeless”) into human hearts. God
does this so that humans may know God’s appointments of time. With this gift humans can act prudently. That is, they can do what truly is best for
all. They know, for example, when to
store food for a possible draught and when to host a banquet in thanksgiving.
We may wonder if Qoheleth means that God sanctions murder
when he writes of a “time to kill.” This is hardly the case. Murder is always wrong, but there are
instances when it is only prudent to kill.
Such moments appear in a just war or when there is no other way to
restrain a ruthless convict.
