A neighbor of mine recently passed away. I was asked by the grieving family to do the following bible reading. Catholic services from mass to funerals typically have three bible readings: a piece each from the Old Testament, the New Testament and finally the gospels.

Mine was the “first reading,” the book of Ecclesiastes chapter 3 verses 1 through 8 from the Old Testament.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (KJV)

3 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

I felt it was a great selection. I will not waste much time to analyze the reading except I feel this piece of the Bible informs us that every aspect of human life has its rhythms and reasons and all is under the control of God’s hidden hand. Following this logic then each human experience from birth to death is ultimately a religious one.