THE FAMILY OF JESUS
ECCLESIASTICUS 3:2-7
God makes the father more honorable than the children,
and confirms the authority of the mother over her offspring.
Whoever honors his father atones for his sins;
whoever respects his mother accumulates treasures……
Son, be constant in honoring your father;
do not abandon him while he lives.
Though his mind may fail, be patient,
do not shame him while you are strong.
Piety towards your father will not be forgotten.
The book of Ecclesiasticus is usually called “Sirach” nowadays, because the text itself tells us that its author is Jesus son of Sirach. The book collects “the wisdom of Israel” on a wide variety of topics.
This reading offers us the pious and traditional view of respect for parents. This veneration, so characteristic of all Eastern peoples, is for Israel something even more sacred, for in parents they see the image of God and to venerate them is to venerate God.
Thus it is recorded in the fifth commandment of the Decalogue, as expressed in the Book of Exodus. In the text there appears a very typical form of expression for these authors: if you fulfill the Law, it will go well for you, if you venerate your parents, you will have children. These are symbols of blessing, just as the Promised Land was presented as a paradise although in reality it was a dry land.
COLOSSIANS 3:12-21
As God’s chosen people, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.
And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
The text of the letter to the Colossians shows a climate, a way of living in a Christian environment, supporting and forgiving each other, driven by the ultimate engine of all human relationships, the Word, which gives rise to love and is celebrated in Thanksgiving, in the Eucharist.
José Enrique Galarreta