and with him it remains forever, and is before all time.
We begin today a series of readings from the Book of Sirach, also known as Ecclesiasticus. I remember the difference between Ecclesiastes and Ecclesiasticus because the book and the name Ecclesiastes are shorter than the book and the name Ecclesiasticus. You can find a brief, helpful introduction to the book and its author at http://www.usccb.org/nab/
In his first chapter Sirach praises Wisdom. The Bible is, of course, rigidly monotheistic. There is only one God. But the wisdom authors allow a “poetic existence” to certain divine creatures; Lady Wisdom, chief among them. She does not exist apart from God any more than sunshine exists apart from the sun; but the sage cultivates the love of Lady Wisdom in a manner similar to the love of God. She is a very great gift to God’s faithful people.
Salutation of the Virtues
Hail, Queen Wisdom, may the Lord protect you with your sister, holy pure Simplicity.
Lady, holy Poverty, may the Lord protect you with your sister, holy Humility.
Lady, holy Charity, may the Lord protect you with your sister, holy Obedience.
O most holy Virtues, may the Lord protect all of you from Whom you come and proceed.
There is surely no one in the entire world who can possess any one of you unless he dies first.
Whoever possesses one and does not offend the others, possesses all.
And whoever offends one does not posses any and offends all.
And each one destroys vices and sins.
Holy Wisdom destroys
Pure holy Simplicity destroys all the wisdom of this world and all the wisdom of the body.
Holy Poverty destroys the desire of riches and avarice and the cares of this world.
Holy Humility destroys pride and all the people who are in the world and all things that belong to the world.
Holy Charity destroys every temptation of the devil and of the flesh and every carnal fear.
Holy Obedience destroys every wish of the body and of the flesh and binds its mortified body to obedience of the Spirit and to obedience of one's brother, and the person who possesses her is subject and submissive to all persons in the world and not to man only but even to all beasts and wild animals so that they may do whatever they want with him inasmuch as it has been given to them from above by the Lord.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.