July 9, 2018

MORE ON SACRIFICES?

Sirach 35:1-3

The man who keeps the law will abound in offerings;
He who heeds the commandments sacrifices a peace offering.
He who returns a kindness offers fine wheat flour,
And he who does alms sacrifices a praise offering.
To forsake evil is pleasing to the Lord,
And to forsake wrongdoing is atonement.

Personal Challenge

Ben Sirach lived in the time before Christ when the nation of Israel still practiced the sacrificial system for the forgiveness and atonement of sins. Even with the rigor of this system, he reminds us that our actions speak loudly to our Lord and to others around us. If we try to live our lives according to the teachings, precepts, and commandments of our Lord, then that is equivalent to making a peace offering. If we give out kindness to those around us it is as if we made a sacrificial offering of fine wheat flour to our Lord. If we practice giving alms to the poor and taking care of their needs over our own then we are making a praise offering to our Lord. Doing things that put others first is part of being living sacrifices as Paul challenges us to become. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!