The Wisdom of Qoheleth

Bishop Barron’s Sunday Sermons - Catholic Preaching and Homilies

Bishop Robert Barron

Spirituality, Christianity, Religion & Spirituality:christianity, Religion & Spirituality

4.8 • 4.6K Ratings

🗓️ 1 August 2004

⏱️ 15 minutes

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Summary

Our first reading for this Sunday is taken from the wonderful book of Ecclesiastes. This Biblical text is made up of the cranky reflections of Qoheleth, an old man who has seen it all and done it all--and finds all of it "vanity and a chase after wind." Why do we attend to his rather sardonic meditations? We do so because it is altogether salutary to be reminded that our ultimate joy is found in none of the goods of this world. So sit down with Qoheleth, pretend he's your curmudgeonly but loveable grandfather, and listen.

Transcript

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0:00.0	Word on fire is brought to you by Catholic cemeteries, serving the Chicago area since 1837.
0:06.9	This is Cardinal Francis George, and I invite you to join me for the next few minutes to
0:11.2	reflect with Father Robert Barron on the Word of God, which is the Word on fire.
0:17.6	Father Barron will challenge us to open our hearts to the Word on fire, which is God's
0:22.0	Word of Love for each of us.
0:24.3	If our hearts are open, the Lord can change and transform us, who we might speak with
0:29.3	love about the one who is love.
0:32.6	The Archdiocese of Chicago through the generosity of Sacred Heart Parish in Winnetka now presents
0:37.6	the Word on fire.
0:39.6	Peace be with you.
0:42.2	I love the book of Ecclesiastes, or it's known maybe in some more contemporary translations
0:48.2	as the book of Cohalif.
0:50.8	We don't hear from it that often, so when we do in the liturgy, I like to comment on
0:54.7	it.
0:55.8	The book of Ecclesiastes, or Cohalif, is found in the wisdom literature of the Old Testament.
1:02.6	The Old Testament is divided into the Torah, the first five books, then the historical
1:08.8	books that tell the story of the Kingdom of Israel and so on.
1:13.2	Then the great prophetic books, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, the others.
1:18.3	And finally, these wisdom books, like the book of wisdom, the book of Proverbs, the book
1:25.4	of Psalms, the song of songs, and Ecclesiastes.
1:30.1	These are more philosophical, psychological books, books of wisdom and insight.
1:36.4	Anyway, Cohalif is found in that section of the Bible.
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