“Eat, Drink and Be Merry”
Saturday, April 4, 2009 at 11:56PM By Scotty McLennan
During Lent, when many of us Christians do some fasting or change our food habits, I’m reminded of the phrase repeated more than once in the biblical book of Ecclesiastes: “Eat, drink, and be merry.” I won't take the author's advice for a couple more weeks, but this is not a frivolous message. It's something we probably should be remembering regularly throughout the year. I believe he's encouraging us to live each day as if it's our last. We should live with the realization of death on our shoulders as a prod and a reminder to appreciate everything being experienced, alive, in the here and now.
Ecclesiastes implores “Remember your grave in the days of your youth.” (12:1) I’ve found in my own ministry that it's in memorial services that the fullest appreciation of the meaning of life and its ultimate meaning comes through. Ecclesiastes insists that “The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.” (7:4)
The author spends a lot of time telling us how much of life is vanity or emptiness. He includes in his litany riches, pleasure-seeking, beautiful houses, concubines, business and busyness, political power, clever speech, and possessions of all kinds. Ultimately, they’re all chasing after wind. But what is valuable and meaningful is appreciating the small everyday aspects of life: “It is God’s gift that all should eat and drink and take pleasure in all their toil.” (3:13) Ecclesiastes says this in a variety of ways throughout the book. Here’s another: “I commend enjoyment, for there is nothing better for people under the sun than to eat, and drink, and enjoy themselves.” (8:15) Or this: “Go, eat your bread with enjoyment, and drink your wine with a merry heart…Enjoy life with the wife whom you love…Whatever your hand finds to do, do with your might.” (9: 7-10)
I don’t believe this is either cynicism or hedonism, as Ecclesiastes’ message is sometimes interpreted. Instead, I see his wisdom as closer to what we might expect from Eastern religious masters like the Dalai Lama or Lao-tzu, the founder of Taoism. Ego-attachment and grasping to hold on to material things is the source of suffering. Letting go and appreciating the daily elements of life as they unfold is the source of fulfillment and ultimately of enlightenment. Carpe diem. Seize the day.
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Reader Comments (6)
Scotty, this was refreshing to read. Thank you and I hope this finds you enjoying whatever is manifesting in your life! I guess it was almost a year since we saw you in San Francisco, I hope all is well.
For tomorrow we shall die?
A bit closer to western culture, Epicurus has
Given that this is Maundy Thursday, it reminds me that one omission both Epicurus and the Preacher have is what is our duty to others. Should we love one another? Are we a community or individuals? Admittedly Jesus after giving the command (according to John) is promptly abandoned by his disciples that night after his arrest.
Epicurus does extol friendship "Of all things that wisdom provides for living one’s entire life in happiness, the greatest by far is the possession of friendship.". The preacher is a bit quieter on companionship, "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up. Again, if two lie together, they are warm; but how can one be warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him. A threefold cord is not quickly broken."
I'm shoked! I see in google.com
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