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St. Boniface

Lesson — Sirach 44:1-15

Sir 44:1-15

Let us now praise men of renown, and our fathers in their generation. ² The Lord hath wrought great glory through his magnificence from the beginning. ³ Such as have borne rule in their dominions, men of great power, and endued with their wisdom, shewing forth in the prophets the dignity of prophets, ⁴ And ruling over the present people, and by the strength of wisdom instructing the people in most holy words. ⁵ Such as by their skill sought out musical tunes, and published canticles of the scriptures. ⁶ Rich men in virtue, studying beautifulness: living at peace in their houses. ⁷ All these have gained glory in their generations, and were praised in their days. ⁸ They that were born of them have left a name behind them, that their praises might be related: ⁹ And there are some, of whom there is no memorial: who are perished, as if they had never been: and are become as if they had never been born, and their children with them. ¹⁰ But these were men of mercy, whose godly deeds have not failed: ¹¹ Good things continue with their seed, ¹² Their posterity are a holy inheritance, and their seed hath stood in the covenants. ¹³ And their children for their sakes remain for ever: their seed and their glory shall not be forsaken. ¹⁴ Their bodies are buried in peace, and their name liveth unto generation and generation. ¹⁵ Let the people shew forth their wisdom, and the church declare their praise.

George Leo Haydock

Catholic 1774–1849

On 44:1

Greek prefixes, “A Hymn of the Fathers.” The author here imitates the third work of Solomon. (Haydock) — He had given rules for all virtues; and he now sets before us those who had put them in practice. (Calmet) — It was the custom to sound forth the praises of these fathers in the temple and synagogues, ver. 15. (Grotius)

On 44:2

Glory. Greek adds, “in them.” He was the author of all their virtue, (Haydock) and has acquired much glory by their means, (Calmet) among men; though his essential glory can never increase.

On 44:3

In the. Greek, “ futurity by their predictions.” Kings, judges, and prophets are praised. (Haydock) — The virtuous are justly styled kings, Genesis xxiii. (Worthington)

On 44:4

The present. Greek, “the people by counsels, and by the knowledge of the office of scribes of the people. Wise in speech by their instruction. ( 5. ) Seeking out,” &c. (Haydock) — Prudence and eloquence ought to appear in a ruler.

On 44:5

Tunes. The Hebrews, and David in particular, were famous for music. (Calmet)

On 44:6

In. Greek, “established in power, living,” &c., (Haydock) like Abraham, Ezechias, &c. (Calmet)

On 44:7

Generations. Literally, “races of their nation. ” But this is omitted in Greek.

On 44:8

Born. Greek, “some of them have left a name,” (Haydock) or posterity, Deuteronomy xxv. 6.

On 44:9

Them. This may be understood of the wicked Israelites, or of the sons of Abraham by Agar, &c.

On 44:10

Mercy. Assideans, (1 Paralipomenon vi. 41., and 1 Machabees vii. 13.) or true Israelites.

On 44:14

Peace. The Jews were very solicitous about this, Genesis xxxv. 8. (Calmet)

Gospel — Matthew 5:1-12

Matt 5:1-12

And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain, and when he was set down, his disciples came unto him. ² And opening his mouth, he taught them, saying: ³ Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.† ⁴ Blessed are the meek: for they shall possess the land.† ⁵ Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.† ⁶ Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill. ⁷ Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. ⁸ Blessed are the clean of heart: for they shall see God. ⁹ Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called children of God. ¹⁰ Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ¹¹ Blessed are ye when they shall revile you, and persecute you, and speak all that is evil against you, untruly, for my sake: ¹² Be glad and rejoice, for your reward is very great in heaven. For so they persecuted the prophets that were before you.

To A.D. 800

800 – 1500

After 1500

Hilary of Poitiers

Patristic c. A.D. 310–367

On 5:1

Or, He ascends the mountain, because it is placed in the loftiness of His Father’s Majesty that He gives the commands of heavenly life.

On 5:4

Those that mourn, that is, not loss of kindred, affronts, or losses, but who weep for past sins.

On 5:5

Or, the Lord promises the inheritance of the earth to the meek, meaning of that Body, which Himself took on Him as His tabernacle; and as by the gentleness of our minds Christ dwells in us, we also shall be clothed with the glory of His renewed body.

On 5:6

The blessedness which He appropriates to those who hunger and thirst after righteousness shews that the deep longing of the saints for the doctrine of God shall receive perfect replenishment in heaven; then they shall be filled.

On 5:7

So greatly is God pleased with our feelings of benevolence towards all men, that He will bestow His own mercy only on the merciful.

On 5:9

The blessedness of the peacemakers is the reward of adoption, they shall be called the sons of God. For God is our common parent, and no other way can we pass into His family than by living in brotherly love together.

On 5:10

Thus, lastly, He includes those in the beatitude whose will is ready to suffer all things for Christ, who is our righteousness. For these then also is the kingdom preserved, for they are in the contempt of this world poor in spirit.