• Reading I: Ecclesiastes 1:2-11
• Resp. Psalm:  Psalm 90:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14.17
• Gospel Reading:  Luke 9:7-9

The selection from Ecclesiastes (Qoheleth) is a classic on the meaninglessness of existence.  The author draws a very negative picture of the realm of human existence and draws the reader’s attention to one saving element:  God.  Perhaps Qoheleth’s worldview is a contributing factor to the later world-view that puts human existence under the realm of darkness and God in the realm of light (Qumran, Gospel of John).

The first reading — at first blush — seem not to have anything to do with the selection from Luke which has Herod intrigued by the rising figure of Jesus.  In the Gospel of Luke, the interest of Herod is contrasted with the interest of those who, like Zacchaeus (cf. Luke 19:2-10), also actively seek him out and end up welcoming him into their homes, and into their lives.  But there is some connection with the first reading in that both Qoheleth and Herod are kings¹ 

So we have here two kings, one who is sharing his discovery of the meaninglessness of existence if it is without God² and another one, intrigued and interested in Jesus, Immanu El, "God-with-us".

Finally, the psalm (Psalm 90) is a prayer that rises forth from a heart that has known the insecurity, anxiety and burden of human existence.  It is a prayer declaring God as a refuge for every generation, the only secure foundation in an existence that, like the waves of the sea, goes to and fro and threatens to engulf one in death.

Popularity: 11% [?]

1. Herod may be a puppet king of Rome and therefore cannot be compared to Qoheleth who — in the author’s mind — is the voice of King Solomon.  Still, the identification of both as kings lend some consistency to the readings for the day. [↩]
2. For apart from him, who can eat and have enjoyment? (!Ecclesiastes 2:4 and similar ideas throughout the body of the book. [↩]