Pursuing the Virtues

Monday, October 18, 2010  -- Week of Proper 24, Year Two
St. Luke the Evangelist
To read about our daily commemorations, go to our Holy Women, Holy Men blog:
http://liturgyandmusic.wordpress.com/category/holy-women-holy-men/

Today's Readings for the Daily Office (Book of Common Prayer)

EITHER, the readings for Monday of Proper 24, p. 989
Psalms 25 (morning)       9, 15 (evening)
Ecclesiasticus* 4:20 - 5:7
Revelation 7:1-8
Luke 9:51-62
   * found in the Apocrypha; also known as the Wisdom of Jesus Son of Sirach

OR, the readings for St. Luke, p. 999
Morning Prayer:  Psalm 103; Ezekiel 47:1-12; Luke 1:1-4
Evening Prayer:  Psalms 67, 96; Isaiah 52:7-10; Acts 1:1-8

I chose the readings for Monday, Pr. 24

Ecclesiasticus, or the Wisdom of Ben Sirach, is a delightful book from the Apocrypha.  The prologue says that it is the work of Ben Sira, a wisdom teacher, translated by his grandson from Hebrew to Greek in Egypt in 117 BCE.  It is a deeply Jewish book.  It is also deeply Greek.  It reflects the wisdom of Hellenistic Judaism that was particularly influential prior to the Maccabean revolt (167-164 BCE) which enforced a anti-Greek radical Judaism.  This book offers a deeply informed version of classical Greek wisdom grounded in the wisdom tradition of the Torah. 

At the core of the ethic of Ecclesiasticus is the competition for honor.  In the Mediterranean cultures, the pursuit of honor and the avoidance of shame is measured primarily in the esteem of one's peers.  For Ben Sira, ultimate honor comes from God -- the legacy of a good name that will last forever.

In today's reading, Ben Sira speaks of good shame and bad shame, "For there is a shame that leads to sin, and there is a shame that is glory and favor."  Modesty and humility are important qualities.  As Ben Sira speaks of "partiality" and "deference," you might imagine a table where guests are seated carefully according to their rank in honor.  Ben Sira advises that we should know where we stand in the social order, who is wiser than we are and who is less wise.  Only show partiality and deference to those who are wiser than you; never "subject yourself to a fool," he counsels.  "Be ashamed of your ignorance," and give honor by listening to those who are wiser than you are.  At the proper time, when you have wisdom to share or to give, speak the truth boldly, and "fight to the death for truth, and the Lord God will fight for you." 

Ben Sira then gives us a few words about money, and its dangers.  "Do not let your hand be stretched out to receive and closed when it is time to give," he begins.  Again, humility and the pursuit of honor are central.  Dishonest wealth will betray you. 

"Do not be so confident of forgiveness that you add sin to sin."  Live honorably, for if we violate God's ways, it will cost us eventually.  Do not postpone turning away from vice and toward virtue. 

The pursuit of virtue is central to Greek ethical thought.  Virtue is an end in itself.  To practice virtue is to create character.  It is the making of the good life, which is meaningful and satisfying at the same time.  The good life is not easy.  It takes discipline and practice.  Virtues are not easily won, but are the only rewards worth pursuing.  Pleasures and entertainments are fleeting, but practicing virtue bestows a kind of honor which is lasting.

The world view and ethic of Ecclesiasticus and the ancient Greeks seems a welcome corrective to our short-sighted, indulgent and entertainment-driven culture.  So much of our focus is upon fleeting pleasures that create addictive vicious circles.  We can never get enough. 

Ben Sirach invites us to pursue the things of enduring value, the great classical virtues like wisdom and knowledge, courage, love and humanity, justice, temperance, spirituality and transcendence.  There are no shortcuts to these great qualities.  They are hard-won, yet their pursuit is gratifying as an end in itself.  Wisdom is a life of noble purpose which is oriented toward the virtues.  I'm delighted that we will get to spend some time with Ben Sirach to see what we might learn from his ancient teaching.  He has much to say to our frantic time.

Lowell

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Audio podcast:  Listen to an audio podcast of the most recent Morning Reflections from today and the past week.  Click the following link: -- Morning Reflection Podcasts 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 missionstclare.com -- Click for online Daily Office Another form of the office from Phyllis Tickle's "Divine Hours" is available on our partner web site www.ExploreFaith.org at this location -- http://explorefaith.org/prayer/fixed/index.html --  Click for Divine Hours Discussion Blog:  To comment on today's reflection or readings, go to http://lowellsblog.blogspot.com, or click here for Lowell's blog find today's reading, click "comment" at the bottom of the reading, and post your thoughts.

The Mission of St. Paul's Episcopal Church is to explore and celebrate God's infinite grace, acceptance, and love. See 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