May 30, Wednesday of 8th week in Ordinary Time

Scripture: Sirach 36:1-2,5-6,13-22. Psalm 79. Mark 10:32-45. Lectionary
#349:

The book called Sirach or Ben Sira is perfect for the first reading in
ordinary time. It is a Wisdom form of literature that contains the
different literary genres proper to such books as Proverbs, Wisdom, and
Job. Thus allegory, parables, examples, paradigms, comparisons and bolt
like insights from other literature of Babylon and Egypt are part of the
menu. The person's name is given to us by his grandson who introduces the
work and is its redactor while Ben Sira is the historical authentic author
of this very long book of 51 chapters. It is written about two centuries
before Jesus was born and gives us a good glimpse into the type of learning
that the scribes and their disciples underwent. For us Catholics it is an
inspired book belonging to the canon which was finalized during the Council
of Trent that included seven deuterocanonical works such as Wisdom, I and
II Maccabees, Tobit, Baruch, Judith, and parts of Daniel and Esther (all of
which are written in the Greek of the Septuagint). Since it resembles a
collection of essays used for classroom notes, it is not well organized as
a book and is difficult to outline.This however is characteristic of our
own daily life with interruptions, phone calls, unexpected visitors, etc.
Thus it is a perfect fit for "ordinary time." We have to arrange our own
outline for each day with its surprises as well as with its routine
activity. Ben Sira treasured all of the Scriptures that he knew as a Jew,
but the Torah for him was the personification of Wisdom. In today's
reading we see the monotheism that he professed come to the fore, then a
great love for Jerusalem-Zion, and the Temple, as well as trust in the
mercy of God forgiving us. Our passage ends with a reference to th
blessing of Aaron which is probably the oldest and most beautiful of
blessings in the Bible. I have used it at ecumenical gatherings, at a
blessing of a library, and at table before a meal. As we turn to the
Gospel of Mark we are startled by the first prediction of the Passion,
Death, and Resurrection of Jesus. The disciples do not understand this and
start another topic on who is the greatest among them. This is initiated
by two who should have known better--John and James! Then the other ten
disciples vent their anger and jealousy. Jesus reprimands them and the
brothers James and John and calls them to be servant leaders who are humble
of heart. No small challenge for ambitious, proud, and selfish people.
The twelve should have been in a class from Ben Sira where they would have
then understood what Jesus was calling them to be as his apostles. It will
take their experience of the Resurrection for them to "wise-up." Allow me
to end with the beautiful Aaronic blessing suggested in our first reading
from Ben Sira: "And the Lord spoke unto Moses, saying, speak unto Aaron and
unto his sons, saying, {in this way} ye shall bless the children of Israel,
saying unto them, The Lord less thee, and keep thee; The Lord make his face
shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee; The Lord lift up his
countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.And they shall put my name upon
the children of Israel; and I will bless them." Amen.