One of my very favorite books of the Bible is Sirach (also
known as Ecclesiasticus, but that is too easily confused with
Ecclesiastes!). Sirach is found in the Apocrypha, a collection of
sacred scripture written in the period between the “Old” and “New”
Testaments that is included in all Anglican, Orthodox, and Roman Catholic
editions of the Bible. Because the Apocrypha is not read in our immediate
(Protestant) culture, Sirach is unfortunately little known. I encourage you
to get to know it! It belongs to that category of Biblical writing known as
“wisdom literature,” which means it is akin to Proverbs and Ecclesiastes in
the Old Testament. It also has some wonderfully rich reflections on
spiritual life. Recently, I was particularly struck by Sirach 17, and I
would like to print excerpts of it for you here as a most appropriate Lenten
meditation. SSJ+
Excerpts from Sirach 17
The Lord created human beings out of earth,
and makes them return to it
again.
He gave them a fixed number of days,
but granted them authority
over everything on the earth.
He endowed them with strength like his own,
and made them in his own
image.
He put the fear of them in all living beings,
and gave them dominion over
beasts and birds.
Discretion and tongue and eyes, ears
and a mind for thinking he
gave them.
He filled them with knowledge and understanding,
and showed them good and evil.
He put the fear of him into their hearts
to show them the majesty of
his works.
And they will praise his holy name,
to proclaim the grandeur of
his works.
He bestowed knowledge upon them,
and allotted to them the law
of life.
He established with them an eternal covenant,
and revealed to them his
decrees [. . .]
And he gave commandment to each of them concerning the neighbor.
Their ways are always known to him;
they will not be hid from his
eyes [. . .]
All their works are as clear as the sun before him,
and his eyes are ever upon
their ways.
Their iniquities are not hidden from him,
and all their sins are before
the Lord. [. . .]
Yet to those who repent he grants a return,
and he encourages those who
are losing hope.
Turn back to the Lord and forsake your sins;
pray in his presence and
lessen your offense. [. . .]
How great is the mercy of the Lord,
and his forgiveness for those
who return to him!
