Ecclesiastes is not a collection of feel-good sayings. The writer has a definite pessimistic bent and uses this collection of sayings, poetry, and essays to point out the absurdity of life, the uselessness of our toil and strife, and the stark reality that we will all eventually die. Yet, these words hold comfort.
The writer of Ecclesiastes reminds us of our equality before God and the limitations of human life. The burial rite in The Book of Common Prayer, even with its options, is the same for prince or pauper. We do not expand our worth to God because of our things or our deeds. We are valued by God simply because we are. We cannot gain more worth or lose our worth. God loves us. Period.
And that, for me, is good news.
