There is a lot of wisdom in this chapter beginning with verse 1: Do no evil and evil will never overtake you! The caution against aspiring to power in verse 4-7 is sage advice. Verse 15, "Do not hate hard labor or farm work," is particularly challenging to me as I like to tell people "My hands are made for chalices, not for callouses."
I like the section on our relationship with others (verses18f). I also found it interesting that Ben Sira put our relationship with animals and people in the same category and even talked about the cattle first! And all of these right relationship leads down to verse 32 which reminds us to take care of the poor.
I love the nuggets of wisdom found in the book of Sirach.
For sure each of our hands are made to serve God in slightly different ways. For me, the last verse sums it up very well.
ReplyDeleteIn whatever you do, remember your last days, and you will never sin.
Thanks for your daily comments.
The Rule of St. Benedictine says something to the effect of Keep your death always before your eyes. It's what the "remember you are dust and unto dust you shall return" at the beginning of Lent is all about.
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