Tuesday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time
(Sirach 2:1-11; Mark 9:30-37)
Yesterday we started reading at Mass from an Old Testament book that
has been called by different names. Our translation
entitles it Sirach after the original author, Jesus ben Sira, a Jewish rabbi of
the early second century before Christ. For
a long time it was known as “Ecclesiasticus” because it was used in the
Church (in Latin ecclesia) for moral instruction. Although Sirach was originally composed in
Hebrew, for centuries only the Greek translation was known. For this reason it is listed among the deuterocanonical
books of the Old Testament. These books
were accepted into the Old Testament canon after a second review. This distinction, however, should not be taken
as a relegation to second-class authority.
Sirach is part of the Wisdom literature of the Old Testament
along with books like Ecclesiastes and Job. In today’s passage ben Sira gives his
disciple, whom he calls “my son,” general advice on how to live. The message is as wise as it is simple. The disciple is to always trust in the
Lord. Especially in bad times he is not to
fret. Rather he is to first remember the
Lord’s mercy toward their ancestors. Then he should pray for deliverance.
Is it not true that when we are undergoing punishment, misunderstanding,
or trial, we think of possible negative outcomes? Then we calculate how to deal with the crisis. Perhaps we want to rebel, counterattack our
oppressors, or run away. No, Sirach
tells us, it’s best to remember the Lord’s goodness in the past and to ask for similar
assistance.
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