1.- During the first centuries the book called Sirach is frequently used in the catechesis and in the liturgy. Due to its use in the Church, Cyprians (160-258) named it Ecclesiastic. Its essential message is this: God´s wisdom is useful to confront life’s common problems. The book is made up about the year 180 B.C. in Jerusalem. Greek culture is in the ambient. At the end, it says: Happy the one who pays attention to this teaching (Sir 50, 28).
2.- The author is Jesus, Sira´s son (50, 27). His grandson says in the prologue: “My grandfather, who devoted himself constantly to the reading of the Law, the Prophets and the later writings of our fathers and had acquired a thoroughly familiarity with them, began himself to write something about their teaching and wisdom, in order that those people desiring to gain knowledge might take advantage of his writings and make even greater progress in living according to the Law. (7 – 14).
3.- Some fifty years later, his grandson, who is living in Alexandria, finds a valuable legacy, the grandfather´s papers. He translates them (from the Hebrew to the Greek) and publishes them: “When I went to Egypt in the 38 year of King Eugertes and settled there, I found an example of this important teaching and I judged it necessary to exercise great care and make serious efforts in translating this book. I have therefore, during this time, devoted many sleepless nights and much study in order to finish this book and to publish it for the use of those who, though they live outside Palestine, wish to become lovers of wisdom and to conform their manner of living to the Law”
4.- Wisdom has an origin: All wisdom comes from the Lord (1, 1), the Lord himself created Wisdom, he looked on her and knew her value and he poured her out over all his works (1, 9), she put her home among men (1, 15), the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (1, 14), the fear of the Lord is glory and we can justly take pride in it; it is joy and a triumphant crown (1,11). An important clue: If you desire wisdom, keep the commandments (1, 26), He gave them revealed knowledge and handed over to them the Law of life (17, 11). And also: Be on guard in the assembly of the elders and if there is a wise man there, attach yourself to him (6, 34 – 36), come near and join her school (51, 23)
5.- Wisdom turns up by herself: I came out from the mouth of God and covered the face of the earth like a mist. Although my dwelling place is in the highest heavens, my throne is within a pillar of cloud… The raging sea and of the earth as well, with all its peoples and nations were my dominion. Then the creator of the universe commanded me… and he told me: Pitch your tent in Jacob (24, 3 – 8). Wisdom comes down to very specific realities: Three things delight me and are delightful to God and men: agreement between brothers, friendship between neighbours and perfect harmony between husband and wife (25, 1)
6.- Wisdom is mother and master: Wisdom brings up her children and takes care of those who look for her… He who listens to her will judge the nations; he who obeys her will rest in safety. Whoever trusts in her will possess her, and his children after him will inherit her. For in the beginning she will lead him by rough paths… and she will put him to the test by her demands, but then she will lead him on a level path, give him joy and reveal her secrets to him (4, 11-18). The wisdom gives rest and joy (6, 28), happiness: Happy the one who is intent on wisdom... as a mother she comes out to meet him… she will feed him with the bread of understanding, the water of wisdom to drink… he will be able to speak in the full assembly (14, 20 – 15, 5)
7.- The author gathers very diverse subjects. For instance, confidence in God in the middle of the test: My sons, if you have decided to serve the Lord, prepare yourself for trials. Keep your heart upright and remain resolute; do not be upset in the time of adversity… For as gold is tested in the fire so those accepted to God are tested in the crucible of humiliation. Have confidence in him and he will take care of you; follow the right path and hope in him (2, 1 – 6; see 1 P 1, 6 – 7).
8.- Duties towards the parents: Whoever honours his father atones for his sins; he who gives glory to his mother prepares a treasure for himself… My son, take care of your father in his old age… Even if he has lost his mind, have patience (3, 3 – 13), honour your father with your whole heart and do not be forgetful of the sufferings of your mother; remember that they gave you birth (7, 27 – 28).
9.- Humility and pride: The greater you are, the more you should humble yourself and thus you will find favour with God. For great is the power of the Lord, and it is the humble who give him glory. Do not seek what is beyond your powers… Do not run to cure the sufferings of the proud man, since there is no remedy for him; the roots of evil are implanted in him (3, 18 – 28), he who speaks too much makes himself hated, and the one who wishes to impose himself stirs up ill will.
10.- Poor people and oppressed: My son, do not deny the poor his food and do not make the man who looks at you with pleading eyes wait… Drag the oppressed away from the hands of the oppressor. Do not be weak when you administer justice. Be like a father towards orphans (4, 1-10), the prayer of the humble person pierces the clouds (35, 17). Afflicted and sick: Do not turn away from those who weep, and grieve with those who are in sorrow. Do not neglect to visit the sick because it is for such acts that you will be loved (7, 34-35).
11.- Children’s upbringing: Have you children? Educate them and teach them to obey from their childhood. Have you any daughters? Take care of them and do not be indulgent towards them (7, 23, 24), your daughter is unruly? Watch her well (42, 11). The author accepts woman’s submissiveness (to the father, to the husband) typical of the old world, without any critic: If you marry your daughter you will have accomplished something of importance, but give her to an intelligent man (7, 25). He, besides, prevents against the evil woman using a partial and tendentious topic that has been abused for centuries: For sin began with woman (25, 24; see Gn 3, 12, Wis 2,24, Rm 5,12 and the catechesis: Evil’s origin, Relationship dependence, The woman in the society and in the Church).
12.- Caution and prudence: Do not invite just anybody into your house for many are clever deceivers… like a spy he watches out for your weakness… Beware if the wicked man for he is planning evil. He might dishonour you for ever. If you take a stranger into your house, he will cause you trouble; he will estrange you from your household (11, 29-34)
13.- The faithful friend: He is a secure refuge; whoever has found one has found a treasure. A faithful friend is beyond any price… whoever fears the Lord will make true friends for as he is, so will his friend be (6, 1-17). The enemy: An enemy does not remain hidden in the time of adversity… Even if he acts like a humble man… be on guard against him. Behave towards him as a man who polishes a bronze mirror; know that the rust will not remain until the end. Do not place him near you, lest he overthrow you and take your place. Do not make him sit on your right hand… Who will have pity on the snake-charmer bitten by a snake?. (12, 8-13).
14.- Freedom and responsibility: Do not say: “It was God who made me sin”. God does not cause what he hates. Do not say: “He made me do wrong,” for he has nothing to do with the sinner. The Lord hates all evil and those who fear him hate it as well. When he created man in the beginning, he left him free to make his own decisions. If you wish, you can keep the commandments and it is in your power to remain faithful. (15, 11-15)
15.- Loan and bail: Learn to lend to your neighbour when he is in need and, in turn, repay him any loan on time… Many think of a loan as a quick deal and put those who help them in a fix (29. 2-4), the good man goes surety for his neighbour… Do not forget the favours of your guarantor, since he has risked his life for you. The sinner wastes his guarantor’s money; the ungrateful man forgets the one who saved him. Acting as guarantor has ruined many who were going well. Beware of lending for profit motives (29, 14-17).
16.- Adultery: The man unfaithful to the marriage bed who thinks like this: “who sees me?... he does not realize that Lord´s eyes are a thousand times brighter than the sun… In the same way the woman who is unfaithful to her husband and gives him an heir by another man will be punished (23, 18-22). Prostitution and fornication: Do not go near a woman of ill-repute for fear of falling into her nets (9,3), be ashamed of licentiousness before your father and mother (41, 17)
17.- Independence and legacy: Neither to son, wife, brother nor friend give power over yourself during your life… As long as you live and there is breathe in you, do not give power over yourself to anyone. It is preferable for your children to be dependent on you, than that you be obliged to depend on them. Be master of all that you do; let not others stain your reputation. Wait until the end of your days, until death is near, to distribute your inheritance. (33, 20-24).
18.- Divinations and dreams: Dreams give wings to the foolish… Divinations, omens and dreams are empty like the fantasies of a woman in labour. Unless they come as messengers of the Most High do not pay attention to them. For dreams have led many people astray and those who hoped in them have fallen (34, 1-7)
19.- Unjust offerings: An offering to God from stolen goods is a stained offering; such sacrifices do not please God. The Most High takes no pleasure in the offerings of the godless, since it is not the number of victims that obtains pardon for sin… Bread is life to the poor; he who takes it from them is a murderer. He who deprives others of a livelihood kills them, and whoever withdraws the salary of a worker is guilty of blood. (34. 18-22)
20.- Prayer for the deliverance of Israel: Have mercy on us… Give new signs, do fresh wonders, stretch out your hand and be glorified in your strength… Reward those who wait for you and fulfil the words of your prophets. Hear the prayer of your servants, Lord… So that all on earth may acknowledge that your Lord and everlasting God (36, 1-17; see Acts 4, 29-31).
21.- Necessary discernment: The stomach takes all kinds of food but one food is better than another. Just as the tongue can distinguish the flavour of game, so the alert mind detects lies. A crooked heart causes sorrow, but an experienced person knows how to get even with him (36, 18-20)
22.- Woman election: A woman will accept any husband but some daughters are better than others. Woman’s beauty rejoices people and is beyond all that could be wished for. If she is kindly spoken and gentle, his husband is the most fortunate of men. When a man marries he acquires a fortune, someone who understands him and who will help and support him. (36, 21-24). Again, the author reflects the situation of the woman in the old world, as if he couldn’t elect, as if it were something that it were something that is bought.
23.- The advisors: Never act without first reflecting and you will have no regrets (32, 19). But now, as advisor, one in a thousand (6, 6); all advisors give advice but some seek only their own gain. Distrust the person who offers advice; first of all, ask yourself what he lacks… Go to a trustworthy man whom you know to be a keeper of the commandments, whose soul reflects your own and who will suffer with you, if you fail. In the end, keep to your own heart’s advice, since no one deserves to be trusted more than your heart… And above all this, implore the Almighty to guide your steps in the truth (37, 7-15)
24.- Medicine and sickness: Give due honour to the doctor, for you need him… when you are sick do not be anxious; pray to the Lord to heal you… then consult the doctor… there are cases when good health depends on doctors; they too will pray to the Most High to grant them success in healing in order to save life. May who sins before his Maker, fall into de hands of the doctor (38, 1-15).
25.- Grieving and death: My son, weep for the dead... observe the period of mourning in accordance with the merits of the deceased; then be consoled in your grief… remember, there is no coming back, you do de dead no good, but rather harm yourself (38, 16-21), Death!, what a bitter thought for someone who lives happily among his possessions… Nevertheless, your sentence, Death, is welcome to a needy person whose strength is failing, who is old, worn out and full of worries; to one who is angry and without hope! (41, 1-2)
26.- Craftsmen and wise men: A law student acquires wisdom during his leisure hours; free of business he is capable of becoming wise (38, 24), he examines the wisdom of the sages in past times and in his free time he studies prophecies; he keeps in mind what men of renown have said, penetrates the mystery of parables, he searches for the inner meaning of proverbs… He is at the service of great men and is seen in the company of leaders; he travels in foreign lands and has experience of both the good and evil in mankind. Early in the morning his hear is set on turning to the Lord… As long as he lives his name will be more glorious than a thousand others, and when he dies that fame will be enough. (39, 1-11; see Mt 23, 34).
27.- In praise of ancestors: Let us glorify illustrious men, the ancestors of our people. There is no remembrance from others. That does not happen with these good deeds men: their bodies were buried in peace but their memory lives thorough generations. Peoples will speak of their wisdom and the assembly will celebrate their praise (44, 1-15).
28.- The author is the last link in the chain, like a gleaner following the grape-pickers (33, 16), like a channel that allows the water to flow. He does not feel disappointed: And I like a brook from a river…, I said: Let me irrigate my orchard and water my flowers. But now my brook has grown into a river and the river into a sea (24, 30-31), may my teaching shine forth like the dawn; may I carry its light to faraway places. I will spread my teaching like a prophecy and leave it to future generations. See, all of you that I have not worked for myself alone but for all those who seek wisdom (24, 32-34)
* Dialogue: Are the grandfather´s papers of any use for today? Are they used? Which is our experience?