This Week From Sirach

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The selections from Sirach in this week’s liturgy is about the worship of God. The passages proposed for meditation bear on conversion, sacrifices and offerings, prayer and contemplation, among others.

Monday, Sir. 17:24-29

“Repentance” and “Returning (to Yahweh)” are synonimous. Wisdom requires a turning to the Lord because all wisdom is from Him.

Tuesday, Sir. 35:1-12

The worship of the Lord requires offerings and sacrifices. Sirach, in keeping with the religiosity of Ps. 50-51 makes it clear that offerings and sacrifices is constituted by a life well lived. “A man multiplies offerings by keeping the Law; he offers communion sacrifices by following the commandments.” And joy borne out of gratitude should accompany those sacrifices: “Add a smiling face to all your gifts, and be cheerful as you dedicate your tithes.”

Wednesday, Sir. 36:1.4-5.10-17

Sirach interposes a prayer here, a prayer directed to the “Master, Lord of all.” It is a prayer in behalf of Jerusalem. Within the context of Wisdom literature, it must be remembered that Zion has been prophesied as the place from which God’s Wisdom will shine forth. At a time when the oracle is far from being realized, Sirach’s intercessory prayer can be understood as a prayer for the realization of prophecies such as found in the book of the prophet Isaiah. A Christian rereading of the passage would simply change “Jerusalem” with “Church.”, or better, to read “Jerusalem” as the “New Jerusalem.”

Thursday, Sir. 42:15-25

Sirach reviews the magnalia Dei, the wonders of the Lord. After all, his works reflect his wisdom. Christian contemplation, like the Jewish “haggah” is an act of remembering, of re-presenting, the marvels of the Lord. Christian wisdom, in fact, admits of Two Books, the Book of Nature, and the Book of the Scriptures which contain “records” of the wonders that God has wrought.

Friday, Sir. 44:1.9-13

The magnalia Dei also includes the fruits of wisdom’s work in the history of Israel: the “illustrious men, our ancestors in their successive generations.” These are the men and women “whose good works have not been forgotten.”

Saturday, Sir. 51:12-20

The reading is Sirach’s testimony of his own search for wisdom. In this testimony, he puts together “keeping the Law” and “fighting to possess her (=wisdom)”

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The icon depicts Mary with the Christ-child and John the Baptist put in relationship with Lady Wisdom. This is the result of a Christian re-reading of the Wisdom literature in the OT.