Ben Sira and the Fear of the Lord

Friday, October 17, 2008 -- Week of Proper 23
Ignatius, Bishop of Antioch, and Martyr, c. 115

Today's Reading for the Daily Office (Book of Common Prayer, p. 989)
Psalms 16, 17 (morning) 22 (evening)
Ecclesiasticus* 1:1-10, 18-27
Acts 28:1-16
Luke 9:28-36

* found in the Apocrypha; also called the Wisdom of Jesus Son of Sirach, or just Sirach

Today we begin to read from the Apocryphal book of Ecclesiasticus, or the Wisdom of Jesus Son of Sirach. ("Ecclesiasticus" is a Latin title meaning the "church book." This teaching was used in the early church. I'll refer to it as "Sirach" which is the common title that the NRSV uses. I'll follow the custom of referring to the author, Jesus Son of Sirach, as Ben Sira.)

There is a tradition in Judaism and some other cultures for an elder to give something more than just money and property to one's descendants. In those traditions, an elder also bequeaths Wisdom to successive generations. Often the collection of the insights of a lifetime will be summarized in what is sometimes called an "Ethical Will." Just as a "Last Will and Testament" will designate property to one's heirs, an Ethical Will passes along the treasure of wisdom, insight, advice and knowledge one has gained, giving it to succeeding generations.

It is becoming increasingly popular in our culture to adopt this ancient tradition. I've heard of workshops that help elders plan the writing of their Ethical Will to their descendants. Carl Jung said that the second half of life should be used as a preparation for one's death. Collecting and composing the wisdom of a lifetime is a healthy way of coming to peace and self-definition while offering to future generations a priceless gift. For the next three weeks we will read and learn from the inheritance left to us by one of our Jewish ancestors, Jesus Ben Sira. From across the centuries he will speak to us as his children.

The Prologue of Sirach is written by the author's grandson, explaining that he is translating his grandfather's original Hebrew text into Greek. The grandson remarks that "what was originally expressed in Hebrew does not have exactly the same sense when translated into another language." That is an important factor whenever we are reading the scriptures in English. There are no scriptures that were written in English, only translations. We need some modesty when we claim truths based on translations of copies of copies of ancient manuscripts. This book's English translation, for instance, is based on different and often fragmentary Hebrew texts as well as Greek manuscripts.

In the Prologue, we see the first record referencing the three-part division of the Hebrew canon of sacred writings as "the Law and the Prophets and the other books of our ancestors." That third division has come to be called the Wisdom scriptures.

In the text of the book, Ben Sira repeats the refrain "the fear of the Lord." "The fear of the Lord is the crown of wisdom." "The fear of the Lord is glory and exultation..." "The fear of the Lord delights the heart..." "Those who fear the Lord will have a happy end..." "For the fear of the Lord is wisdom and discipline..." Ben Sira is echoing the word from Psalm 111:10 -- "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; those who act accordingly have a good understanding; his praise endures for ever."

For us the English word "fear" describes our response to threat. To fear God sounds like we should be afraid of God as a threatening power. That is not the Biblical meaning. To fear God is to be alert, awake, always aware of God, like a small animal alert to all of the sounds and presence in the woods. Some translations prefer to use the word "reverence" or "awe." "The fear of the Lord" is our alert and responsive attention to the presence and the intention of God.

Many spiritual traditions invite us into the Practice of Presence. We can always have a portion of our consciousness trained toward the divine. God is always present. God is here and God is now. Here and now is all that we have. If we are to know God, we can only know God in the here and now. The fear of the Lord is our reverent, alert attention and awareness of God's presence and God's will for us now. Our ancestors who bequeathed to us the Wisdom traditions tell us that this Practice of Presence is the beginning and the crown of wisdom. We have been given a priceless inheritance. We have been invited to see from their shoulders and to walk in their paths.

Lowell

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About Morning Reflections
Morning Reflections is a brief thought about the scripture readings from the Daily Office of Morning and Evening Prayer according to the practice found in the Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church.

Morning Prayer begins on p. 80 of the Book of Common Prayer.
Evening Prayer begins on p. 117

An online resource for praying the Daily Office is found at www.missionstclare.com
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The Mission of St. Paul's Episcopal Church
is to explore and celebrate
God's infinite grace, acceptance, and love.

Visit our web site at www.stpaulsfay.org

Our Rule of Life

We aspire to...
worship weekly
pray daily
learn constantly
serve joyfully
live generously.

Lowell Grisham, Rector

St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Fayetteville, Arkansas