For your reading and reflecting pleasure, here's the reading from Sirach we've been mulling in our daily Eucharist this week (an option for those on the RCL cycle for this Sunday.)
A Reading from Sirach (35:12–17).
Do not try to bribe God, for that will never be accepted; do not expect good from an ill-gotten sacrifice. For the Most High is a judge who does not respect individuals or grant favors at the expense of the poor; God listens to the prayers of those who are exploited. God will never ignore the pleas of the orphan or the widowed, as they pour out from their heart.
See how the tears run down the cheeks of the bereaved and their cries indict their persecutors! To be accepted, you must give of yourself as the Most High requires – then your prayer will reach the clouds. The prayer of the humble pierce the clouds. Until it is heard, there is no comfort for them; yet they do not give up until the Most High answers them, giving the just what is theirs, and granting them justice.
Minister: Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people.
People: Thanks be to God.
4 comments:
Try Chapter 2. Yep that book has kept me on the straight and narrow for years
Now that's what I am talking about!!!
Thank you and if time permits maybe you can post a Reading/Gospel/Psalm etc., once a week or month. This will keep all of us focused, on why we are, who we are, and why we do what we do.
Joe
It fits nicely with-
Cut away, therefore, the thickening about your hearts and stiffen your necks no more. For the Lord your God is God supreme and Lord supreme, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, Who shows no favor and takes no bribe, but upholds the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and befriends the stranger, providing him with food and clothing. You too must befriend the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.
-Deuteronomy 10:16-19
"Minister: Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people.
People: Thanks be to God."
Amen.
It seems to be so easy to fall into the error that having said that one is a Christian, it is just fine to go on ignoring the social and practical implications of what He told us to do. Noting that we will always have the poor with us is not an excuse for greed.
"Go ahead and cheat your neighbor, go and betray a friend, if you do it in the name of heaven, you can justify it in the end." From a folk song -- One Tin Soldier (rides away.)
Discipleship has to mean more than that or it is worthless.
FWIW
jimB
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