Sirach/Ecclesiasticus 24:1-2, 8-12; Psalm 147; Ephesians 1:3-6, 15-18; John 1:1-18
Written in Jerusalem about 180 BC, Sirach contains many carefully worded maxims, and has been much used by the Church to present moral teaching. This chapter personifies Wisdom as a distinct being who comes from God, so foreshadowing the Gospel of John. Here Wisdom is seen as God’s gift to Israel, where she is to dwell.
The Psalm urges us to praise the Lord because of all his good deeds to us, giving us life, food, children, and laws to live by.
After a short greeting Paul reminds his hearers of God’s plan, that mankind was designed from the beginning to be with him in eternal glory through Jesus Christ. After giving thanks for our redemption through Christ’s blood, Paul prays that God “may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation resulting in knowledge of him”, so that you may know what hope we may have in God’s power which he worked in raising Christ from the dead. Our baptism is only the first instalment of the renewal of all creation under Christ.
John’s prologue to his gospel appears to be a hymn praising God’s activity in creating the world and sending the “logos” or “Word”, who dwells among us and shows God’s glory. The three interruptions describe the role of John the Baptist, who testified to the light. Those who accept the light, Christ, are given power to become children of God.
Psalm Response: The Word was made flesh and lived among us.
(Sirach/Ecclesiasticus 24:1-2, 8-12; Psalm 147; Ephesians 1:3-6, 15-18; John 1:1-18)