By Father Paul Nord, O.S.B.
Sunday Scripture
First Reading: Sirach 15:15-20; Response: Psalm 119:1-2, 4-5, 17-18, 33-34; Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 2:6-10; Gospel: Matthew 5:17-37
Sirach is one of the “deuterocanonical books” of the Bible, which the Catholic Church recognizes as canonical, inspired scripture, while Protestants do not. The deuterocanonical works were included in the Septuagint — an ancient translation of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) into the Greek language. The various Old Testament works were likely translated between 280 and 130 B.C. The Septuagint translation was the work of the Jewish community in Alexandria (northern Egypt). In Alexandria and the eastern Mediterranean, many Jews spoke “Koine” (common) Greek. This translation enabled many to read sacred scripture.
Later, when Jesus’ followers proclaimed his Gospel to Gentiles, they saw the Septuagint as a God-given way to bring the Gospel to Greek-speakers. When Jesus’ disciples explained that he had fulfilled the prophecies of Isaiah, they used the Septuagint to show Isaiah’s prophetic text to Gentiles who knew Greek, but not Hebrew. Because the early Church used the Septuagint so widely, the inclusion of the “deuterocanonical” biblical books within the Septuagint influenced the Church to recognize these writings as inspired scripture.
The prologue of Sirach indicates that Sirach was translated from Hebrew into Greek by the original author’s grandson, who composed the prologue. Christians preserved the Greek version of Sirach. But the original Hebrew version was lost until 1896 when large portions were discovered in the Cairo Geniza — the storage room for old, damaged manuscripts in an ancient Cairo synagogue.
Today’s Sirach reading is typical of the whole book, which emphasizes the importance of keeping God’s commandments as recorded in the Law and the Prophets. The commandments “will save you.” Keep them so that “you too shall live.” God gives each person a choice — between “life and death” — between “good and evil.” God’s commandments express God’s wisdom — he wants men and women to act justly. God sees all our deeds. We should strive to obey God’s will, eager to serve him with reverence.
Writing to the Corinthians, St. Paul contrasts the “wisdom of this age” versus God’s wisdom. “The rulers of this age” are passing away, Paul says. He is contrasting temporary earthly power with God’s eternal power.
Paul describes God’s wisdom as “mysterious” and “hidden.” Above all, God’s wisdom is expressed through Christ crucified. “The wisdom of this age” is actually foolishness in the eyes of God. Paul gives a powerful example of this age’s foolishness: “the rulers of this age … crucified the Lord of glory.” In their foolishness, earthly rulers unwittingly became instruments of God’s plan of salvation.
In 2:9, Paul quotes Isaiah 64:3: “What eye has not seen, and ear has not heard … God has prepared for those who love him.” With this quote, Paul beautifully expresses how God’s wisdom is mysterious and hidden, as Paul stated directly in 2:7. Paul emphasizes that God’s plan of salvation is true wisdom, and that it expresses God’s love for humanity.
Paul says, “God predetermined (this plan) before the ages for our glory” (2:7). Forming a covenant with Israel, God revealed his glory. But in the Incarnation of Christ, God has revealed his glory in a far greater way, sanctifying men and women through Christ. This causes human holiness to become a reflection of God’s glory — such that Paul says God’s plan results in “our glory.”
Finally, Paul notes that God’s plan of salvation has been “revealed to us through the Spirit.” Paul explains how the Spirit has revealed to us “even the depths of God.” This shows how the Spirit continues the work of Jesus Christ. That is, Jesus has revealed God the Father to humanity, such that mere men and women can enter into relationship with God as his adopted sons and daughters.
In the Gospel of John, Jesus says to Philip: “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?” (John 14:8-9). The Holy Spirit continues the work of Christ by guiding men and women to recognize God’s action in the world. In John 16, Jesus is preparing his disciples for his departure, but he promises to send them an “Advocate” — the Holy Spirit. Jesus says: “when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth” (16:13).
Today’s section of Matthew’s Gospel continues Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount.” This material is central to Jesus’ teaching. He says that he has not come “to abolish the law or the prophets … but to fulfill” them. Jesus insists that obeying and teaching God’s commandments are essential to greatness in the kingdom of heaven. In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus is continually telling parables that reveal the nature of the kingdom of heaven. Indeed, Jesus’ mission is to bring God’s kingdom in its fullness. Thus, Jesus instructs his disciples to pray to God “thy kingdom come” in the “Our Father” prayer.
Jesus proceeds to quote God’s commandment: “You shall not kill” (Exodus 20:13; Deuteronomy 5:17). Jesus then “fulfills” this commandment by calling us to an even higher standard — avoiding anger toward a brother and not calling him a “fool.” Instead, Jesus commands us to reconcile with others. Killing becomes unthinkable if we resolve anger and conflict at the earliest opportunity.
Jesus quotes another commandment of God: “You shall not commit adultery” (Exodus 20:14; Deuteronomy 5:18). Again, Jesus “fulfills” this commandment by calling his followers to a higher standard. “I say to you, everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Jesus then summarizes Deuteronomy 24:1: “Whoever divorces his wife must give her a bill of divorce.” Jesus fulfills this commandment by suggesting that divorce is illegitimate because it often results in the divorced spouse committing adultery after the divorce. Finally, Jesus summarizes Numbers 30:3: “Do not take a false oath, but make good to the Lord all that you vow.” Jesus perfects (fulfills) this commandment by forbidding oath-taking. If we are always truthful in all we say, then others will believe us without an oath.