Fiddler on the Roof

Solomon introduces the basic theme of Ecclesiastes exclaiming “vanity of vanities, all things are vanity!” The phrase is a Hebrew expression indicating a supreme degree of futility and emptiness. The phrase we use today could be “what’s the point?” 

He had it all and then chose poorly.

Image by Emilian Robert Vicol

Sunrise, sunset

By Steve Leininger


https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/092422.cfm
Ecclesiastes 11:9-12:8
Psalm 90:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14 & 17
Luke 9:43-45


In the 1971 musical film Fiddler on the Roof, as the entire Jewish community in the region shows up to witness a wedding, the bride’s father and mother marvel at how quickly time has passed:

Is this the little girl I carried
Is this the little boy at play?
I don't remember growing older

When did they?
When did she get to be a beauty
When did he grow to be so tall?
Wasn't it yesterday when they were small?

Sunrise, sunset
Sunrise, sunset

Swiftly flow the days
Seedlings turn overnight to sunflowers
Blossoming even as we gaze.

Sunrise, sunset
Sunrise, sunset

Swiftly fly the years
One season following another
Laiden with happiness and tears.

Sunrise, Sunset from Fiddler on the Roof
(Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick in 1964)

This bittersweet reflection on life and growing older is a bit like our first reading today. To really appreciate what we are reading from Ecclesiastes, we need to go to the beginning of the book and read:

The words of David’s son, Qoheleth, king in Jerusalem:
Vanity of vanities, says Qoheleth,
vanity of vanities! All things are vanity!

[Ecclesiastes 1:1-2]

So Qoheleth wrote this and starts by quoting himself. But by virtue of being both David’s son and king of Jerusalem, he must be King Solomon, a king of great wisdom and wealth. Ecclesiastes is the book of Solomon’s contemplation and self-reflection and is often thought to have been written in his old age. Indeed 1 Kings chapter 11 describes the late years of King Solomon’s reign and his decline.

Solomon did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, and he did not follow the LORD unreservedly as David his father had done. 
[1 Kings 11:6]

So the LORD said to Solomon: Since this is what you want, and you have not kept my covenant and the statutes which I enjoined on you, I will surely tear the kingdom away from you and give it to your servant.

But I will not do this during your lifetime, for the sake of David your father; I will tear it away from your son’s hand.
[1 Kings 11:11-12]

God is beyond unhappy. I invite you to dig into 1 Kings 11 for a laundry list of Solomon’s actions that angered God.

Solomon introduces the basic theme of Ecclesiastes exclaiming “vanity of vanities, all things are vanity!” The phrase is a Hebrew expression indicating a supreme degree of futility and emptiness. The phrase we use today could be “what’s the point?” He had it all and then chose poorly.

Solomon goes on to share his wisdom on the meaning of life, and its inevitable end. The message seems to encourage living life to the fullest, because, well, let’s take a look:

Rejoice, O young man, while you are young 
and let your heart be glad in the days of your youth.
Follow the ways of your heart,
the vision of your eyes;
Yet understand that as regards all this
God will bring you to judgment.
Banish misery from your heart
and remove pain from your body,
for youth and black hair are fleeting.

[Ecclesiastes 11:9-10]

Or to paraphrase, have a good time, follow your heart, your time is limited. God will bring you to judgement at the end.

Solomon then goes into poem mode, using allegories to list many of the ailments that come with old age.

When the guardians of the house tremble,
and the strong men are bent,
And the grinders are idle because they are few,
and they who look through the windows grow blind;
When the doors to the street are shut,
and the sound of the mill is low;
When one waits for the chirp of a bird,
but all the daughters of song are suppressed;
And one fears heights,
and perils in the street;
When the almond tree blooms,
and the locust grows sluggish
and the caper berry is without effect,
Because man goes to his lasting home,
and mourners go about the streets;

[Ecclesiastes 12:3-5]

Did you get the hidden references to the body in old age? Here’s one interpretation:

  • guardians of the house (arms) tremble 
  • and the strong men (legs) are bent,
  • and the grinders are idle because they are few (women aren’t around anymore)
  • and they who look through the windows (eyes) grow blind;
  • the doors to the street (lips) are shut,
  • and the sound of the mill (ears) is low;
  • the daughters of song (failing voice) are suppressed;
  • and one fears heights, and perils in the street (not the bravery of youth)
  • the almond tree blooms (white hair of old age)
  • and the locust grows sluggish (stiffness of joints)
    and the caper berry is without effect (loss of appetite)

I can identify with a few of those!

Solomon then points out the finality of life, using the same colorful language:

Before the silver cord is snapped
and the golden bowl is broken,
And the pitcher is shattered at the spring,
and the broken pulley falls into the well,
And the dust returns to the earth as it once was,
and the life breath returns to God who gave it. 

[Ecclesiastes 12:6-7]

You are going to be dead, and that’s the end of it! In fact, the last part about dust and breath is the full circle on the beginning of the Old Testament:

Then the Lord God formed man out of the dust of the ground 
and blew into his nostrils the breath of life, 
and man became a living being.

[Genisis 2:7]

Solomon sums it up, that in his wisdom, things that seem to matter in life just won’t matter at the end:

Vanity of vanities, says Qoheleth,
all things are vanity!

[Ecclesiastes 12:8]

This is EXACTLY where he started his discourse in the book of Ecclesiastes! “What’s the point?” he could be asking. After reflecting on the good times of youth, a long life of success and compassion (which we did not cover today), accumulation of incredible wealth, the gift of wisdom and more, Solomon seems to be looking at the futility of avoiding old age and returning to dust at death. Sunrise, sunset.

Have we learned anything since the time of King Solomon? Maybe the rest of our readings can shed some light on our life’s journey.

The gospel reading is from Luke:

While they were all amazed at his every deed,
Jesus said to his disciples,
“Pay attention to what I am telling you.
The Son of Man is to be handed over to men.” 
But they did not understand this saying;
its meaning was hidden from them
so that they should not understand it,
and they were afraid to ask him about this saying.

[Luke 9:43-45]

This passage often carries the title “The Second Prediction of the Passion,” and is found in the gospels of Matthew and Mark as well. Both Matthew and Mark quote Jesus as adding “[these men] will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day.” Not only was the meaning hidden from the disciples, but they were afraid to ask for clarification. Is that a fear that asking may be showing one’s own limited ability to understand? Or that Jesus might be saying things that have a different purpose? 

More likely, this prediction, and two others like it, were meant to be included in the gospels as a lesson in listening for meaning. Like a mystery where the clues are out in plain sight, but the ‘aha moment’ comes when events leading to the final resolution are reviewed in retrospect. Look!! We should have known this all along!

Prior to this gospel reading in Luke, a lot had happened. The Twelve were commissioned and given power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases. They were sent out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. Five thousand followers were fed with five loaves and two fish. Peter correctly identifies Jesus as the Messiah of God. A week or so later there was that Transfiguration of Jesus thing. Followed by the healing of a boy with a demon. This was one of those sunrise times. A more progressive church might call it “Sonrise.”

The prediction of impending death at the hands of others could have been one of those sunset moments. For you see, there is that additional prediction (in the other gospels) that Jesus will rise on the third day. That prediction became fact, and in retrospect we can say the clues to our redemption were right there for everyone to see. No reason to go darkly into our sunset.

The Alleluia preceding today’s gospel said it well:

Our Savior Christ Jesus destroyed death
and brought life to light through the Gospel.

[2 Timothy 1:10]

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