This intention is reflected in the opening of Ecclesiastes, which asserts that "to everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven." A thorough exploration of this profound saying reveals a wealth of wisdom, encompassing both contemplative thought and practical guidance.
To clarify the approach towards this saying, we can categorize existence into two realms: the material and the immaterial. In the latter, the spiritual transcends physical comprehension; a truth we grasp more deeply when we have moved beyond sensory perceptions. Our understanding of the material realm does not extend into the divine and transcendent. Consequently, the text addresses both earthly and heavenly matters, aiming to guide us in living righteously. The earthly existence, tethered to our flesh, often obscures our ability to perceive true beauty, which calls for discernment. Thus, to rightly judge beauty, we require some guidance, akin to following a thread in the construction of a building.
Ecclesiastes begins by distinguishing two key traits of beauty in all that is desirable in life: harmony and appropriateness. He states, "To everything there is a time." Here, “time” refers to a measure, as every occurrence unfolds within a temporal framework. I do not claim that these markers of beauty universally apply to all virtues, but rather that there is evident success in a life governed by such observance. For who can deny that virtue itself serves as a measure woven into the fabric of moderation? A virtue cannot exist in the absence of an appropriate measure; for example, in courage, the lack of it is cowardice, while excess is recklessness.
Thus, some scholars, perhaps misinterpreting our works, have drawn brief conclusions: one suggested that we should possess nothing in excess, while the other cautioned against deficiency. Each posited that moderation is paramount, thereby affirming that failing to reach the required measure of virtue is deserving of censure, while going beyond it merits disdain. Moreover, the text illustrates that recognizing the appropriate time for action is virtuous. What benefit does a farmer gain from harvesting before the crops are ripe or delaying the harvest until the seeds have fallen from the stalk? In both scenarios, the work lacks merit, as untimely actions squander the opportunity for fruitful labor.
This principle extends from parts to wholes; consider the discipline of medicine. The consequences of neglecting the proper timing or measures can be severely detrimental to healing. However, we shall return to this notion as further insights are provided in Ecclesiastes. The initial observations guide us to understand that failing to respect measure or timing results in poor outcomes, whereas achieving perfection in both is commendable. If only one factor is prioritized and the others disregarded, it renders the endeavor futile. It is similar in our own locomotion: if one leg falters, even the healthy leg struggles to support us in walking. Likewise, neglecting either measure or timing renders that which is present ineffective; both proportionality and timeliness are essential in achieving true merit.
Thus, we comprehend time as a measure, the standard against which all actions unfold. Every event transpires within time, and as events progress, their durations accumulate: shorter durations align with shorter events, and likewise for longer intervals. There exists a measure for gestation, a measure for crop development, a measure for fruit ripening, a measure for navigation, travel, and all stages of life: infancy, childhood, adolescence, young adulthood, maturity, and old age. Consequently, since no single measure of time suffices for every circumstance—due to the inherent differences among measures—Ecclesiastes wisely remarks that “to everything there is a time,” noting this universal measure as it pertains to all created things. For in humanity, the obsolete can become burdensome and the immature chaotic; the ideal stage finds balance, avoiding the challenges of both extremes. This balance embodies strength without youthful impulsiveness and wisdom devoid of the frailties associated with age, achieving a state that transcends both juvenile arrogance and the impotence of advanced years.
Thus, the one who ordains all times corrects the flaws inherent in neglecting either measure, stripping honor from that which has failed to conform to time, while discarding that which has not yet reached perfection in its appointed season. Let us now proceed in an orderly manner to delve into the divinely inspired text itself.
THEOSIS