Next Sunday, the first reading is from the book of Sirach, also called Ecclesiasticus. This book was not accepted in the Jewish canon of the Bible, which is the canon followed by the Protestant Churches. The original was written in Hebrew and then translated into Greek by a grandchild of the author. This translation entered the Greek translation of the Bible, which was the Bible used by the Jews of the diaspora, and then by the early Christians. In this way, it entered the Christian canon of the Bible, as it is accepted by Catholics and Orthodoxes.
Sirach is a very interesting book full of traditional wisdom, reflections on life and teaching for good living, full of faithfulness and uprightness. It helps us to be more human, and in that way to become truer images of God.
Resentment, anger and vengeance “are foul things”; nothing good can comes out of them. It is impossible to build a human and just society on them. Vengeance only brings violence, destruction and death. Many times, what is called justice in the world, is no more than vengeance.
“He who exacts vengeance will experience the vengeance of the Lord”. “Forgive your neighbour the hurt he does you, and when you pray, your sins will be forgiven.” (Sirach)
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