Ecclesiasticus or the Wisdom of Jesus

Watch for the opportune time, and beware of evil,

and do not be ashamed to be yourself.

Do not refrain from speaking at the proper moment,*

and do not hide your wisdom.*

For wisdom becomes known through speech,

and education through the words of the tongue.

Never speak against the truth,

but be ashamed of your ignorance.

Sirach 4:20-5:7

Ecclesiasticus also called Sirach is a Jewish literary work, originally written in Biblical Hebrew. It consists of ethical teachings, written approximately between 196 and 175 BCE by Yeshua ben Eleazar ben Sira (Ben Sira), a Hellenistic Jewish scribe of the Second Temple period. It is not included in the Hebrew text that forms the canon of scripture for both Judaism and the Protestant Old Testament. It is included in what is called the Apocrypha which means "hidden things," and it is not clear why that term was used. When I read this appointed passage for this morning, it occurred to me that the straightforwardness of this passage might be better hidden than read out in the open!

As our churches and our nation become more and more divided, it is imperative that we be extra careful where we speak and what we say. Many people feel they have the right to state their opinions, theologies and political views, but refuse to listen to anything with which they disagree. And they often use Social Media in the most nefarious of ways to lash out at anyone with whom they disagree.

This passage challenges us not to be ashamed of ourselves, our positions, our wisdom, but rather to be ashamed of our ignorance. Pay attention to the proper moments where you must not hide your wisdom. The rest of the time, I suggest, we keep our mouths shut and pray.