Category: Uncategorized

Sirach 11:7-8

Do not find fault before you examine a situation.
First, understand it, and then make your judgment.
Do not answer before you have listened,
And do not interrupt someone while he is talking.

Personal Challenge

This is one area in my life that I know that I need to work on. It is so easy to jump into the middle of a conversation and interrupt the other person in order to express my thoughts. I need to learn to slow down and take the time to examine and understand the situation, or the other person before I jump in to offer my thoughts. I need to let the other person complete their thoughts, assess what has been said, and then determine if I should say anything or not. I need to do this to show love to my neighbor. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!

Sirach 10:4

The authority of the earth is in the hand of the Lord,
And He will raise up the right man for an appointed time.

Encouraging Words

How interesting is it that this verse is the one that comes up tonight while I am waiting for the presidential debate to start? Life in our world today has come to the point where it really looks like we are living in the midst of a giant circus. It is important for us to understand that no matter how much we mess up this creation that He has given us, He is still in control. This may not be the way that He wants it to be, but He is letting us live out our free will, and deal with the consequences of our choices and our action. He is running the circus, be He is also letting us decide How each act plays out. We any given the freedom to make our choices as well as the opportunity to participate in the consequences of those choices. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy, Lord, have mercy!

Sirach 7:32-36

Stretch forth your hand to the poor,
That your blessing may be complete.
Let the kindness of giving be shown
In the presence of all the living,
And do not withhold kindness from the dead.
Do not withdraw yourself from those who weep,
And mourn with those who mourn.
Do not hesitate to visit a sick man,
For by such visits you will be loved.
With all your words, remember the time you will die,
And you will never sin.

Personal Challenge

It is so easy to get wrapped up in our own personal stuff and end up forgetting that everyone around us has needs and issues to deal with as well. There is really no monetary cost to showing kindness to another person, especially those who are down and in need of compassion. Loving our neighbor is one of the two commands that Jesus gave to us. Showing kindness comes out of that love. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!

Sirach 7:20-21

Do not mistreat a servant who does his work in truth
Nor a hired worker who devotes himself to you.
Let your soul love an intelligent servant;
Do not deprive him of his freedom.

Personal Challenge

Most of us do not live in a situation where we have servants who are submissive to us, but we do have many situations in our lives where these verses apply. We may be managers where people report to us and that we must lead others to accomplish our work. We may be parents or spouses, which also leads to times when we are in charge of someone else. Whatever the case, we all have opportunities where others count on us to be their leaders. It is our responsibility to them and to our Lord to serve them as leaders in order to demonstrate Christ to them. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!

Sirach 7:1-3

Do no evil things,
And evil will never overtake you.
Stay away from wrongdoing,
And it will turn away from you.
My son, do not sow on the furrows of wrongdoing,
And you will not reap the same things sevenfold.

Personal Challenge

The guideline for eliminating evil things from our lives is fairly simple and straight forward. If we avoid evil things by not doing evil things, then that evil will not overtake us. If we dabble in evil things, wrongdoings, and sowing sinful seeds, then we will reap the consequences of this behavior, which will be more evil in our lives. We cannot live our lives in a worldly manner and expect heavenly results. Lord Jesus Christ. Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!

Sirach 6:18-19

My son, from your youth up, choose instruction,
And you will find wisdom also into old age.
Come to her as one who plows and sows,
And wait expectantly for her good fruits;
For in her work you will labor a little while,
Then you will quickly eat of her fruit.

Personal Challenge

If we truly want to grow in the image of Christ, we must be willing to choose the path of instruction. Being a Christian is not a one-time, static event, but a lifelong series of events of being tried, tested, and molded into the image of Christ. In Orthodoxy, we call this theosis. Glory be to God!

Sirach 6:14-17

A faithful friend is a strong shelter,
And he who finds one finds a treasure.
There is nothing that can take the place of a faithful friend,
And there is no way to measure his worth.
A faithful friend is a medicine of life,
And those who fear the Lord will find him.
He who fears the Lord guides his friendship rightly,
Because as he is, so also is his neighbor.

Personal Challenge

We have become so independent and self-reliant in our current generation that we have lost the concept of faithful friendship. Most of us go through our life with an abundance of acquaintances and “Facebook friends” but no close, intimate, faithful friends. And because of that, we are missing out on so many of the treasures of faithful friendship that these verses highlight. We have lost out on so much more that our lives could have offered. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

Sirach 5:10-11

Be established in your understanding
And let your word be consistent.
Be quick to listen
And give your answer with patience.

Personal Challenge

One of my go-to phrases from our Lord Jesus Christ is, “May your “Yes” be “Yes” and your “No” be “No””. This passage today reinforces that teaching. Our speech should always ring with consistency. We should stand by our word and correct it when we know that we have spoken (or typed/posted) in error. Our word should always be guided by the understanding that God gives us. But maybe the most important skill to develop is patience. We will eliminate many offenses and errors by being patient before we speak, being quick to listen and slow to speak. Glory be to God!