The Book of Sirach and Christ as Wisdom – Feb 24 – Homily – Fr John Lawrence

 

Fr John Lawrence gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on Feb 24, 2025, on how the Book of Sirach teaches wisdom as both divine attribute and person, connecting it to Christ as the incarnate Wisdom of God and Mary as the seat of wisdom.

Father introduces the Book of Sirach (Ecclesiasticus), written around 190 BC, which contains proverbs for teaching virtues and practical wisdom. He explains that different versions exist, including a shorter Greek text and a longer text used in Roman liturgy.
Sirach teaches that all wisdom comes from the Lord (Sirach 1:1). The natural world is too vast for human comprehension, as illustrated by Sirach's questions about counting sand grains or raindrops (Sirach 1:2). Since God knows all these intimately, we must seek wisdom from Him.
Father explains that wisdom in Scripture appears as both quality and person, particularly in Sirach 24. This personification points to Christ, "the power of God and the wisdom of God" (1 Corinthians 1:24). When Sirach states "before all things else, wisdom was created" (Sirach 1:4), this can refer to the Son, through whom "all things were made" (John 1:3).
When Sirach asks "to whom has wisdom's root been revealed?" (Sirach 1:6), Father explains this can mean either the Father as the root of eternal wisdom, as Jesus taught that "No one knows the Father except the Son" (Matthew 11:27), or the Son as the root of created wisdom.
God has "poured wisdom forth upon all His works" (Sirach 1:9), meaning creation expresses God's wisdom through beauty and order. God has also offered wisdom to all humans, though not all accept it. "Friends of God" (Sirach 1:10) receive the most wisdom because they're most willing to receive it.
Father connects wisdom to Mary, the "seat of wisdom" who "gave wisdom flesh" through the Incarnation. He concludes by examining Jesus healing a demon-possessed boy after his disciples failed (Mark 9:14-29). Jesus explains that "this kind can only come out through prayer" (Mark 9:29), teaching that some spiritual challenges require deeper prayer and faith to overcome.

For Further Reading
Sirach 1:1-10 - NAB - The beginning of Sirach on wisdom - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/sirach/1
Mark 9:14-29 - NAB - Jesus heals the boy with a demon - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/9?14
1 Corinthians 1:24 - NAB - Christ the power and wisdom of God - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1corinthians/1?24
John 1:3 - NAB - All things were made through Him - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/1?3
Matthew 11:27 - NAB - Only the Son knows the Father - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/11?27
Luke 1:35 - NAB - The Holy Spirit will come upon Mary - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/1?35

Catechism of the Catholic Church References:
Catechism of the Catholic Church #216 - God's Wisdom and Will - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/216.htm
Catechism of the Catholic Church #291 - Creation as Work of the Trinity - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/291.htm
Catechism of the Catholic Church #721 - Mary and the Holy Spirit - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/721.htm
Catechism of the Catholic Church #1434 - Penance and Fasting - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/1434.htm

Additional Resources:
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops - Introduction to Sirach - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/sirach/0
Catholic Encyclopedia - Book of Ecclesiasticus - https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05263a.htm
Catholic Answers - Mary, Seat of Wisdom - https://www.catholic.com/magazine/online-edition/mary-as-wisdom-personified

Ave Maria!

Mass: Monday 7th Week of Ordinary Time - Wkdy
Readings:  - http://usccb.org/bible/readings/022425.cfm
1st: sir 1:1-10
Resp: psa 93:1-2, 5
Gsp: mar 9:14-29

More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=1395

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