The knowledge of the mystery hidden in Christ Jesus

Treasures of Our Faith with Deacon Richard Vehige

Today, December 14, as our Church celebrates the Memorial of John of the Cross, Priest and Doctor, we are invited to first reflect on a passage from the book of Sirach (39: 4-10), entitled “The wisdom of a man who is learned in the Scriptures”. Our treasure, which follows, is from a spiritual Canticle by Saint John of the Cross, priest.

Saint John of the Cross is considered among the greatest mystics in the history of the Church. He was born at Fontiveros in Spain around 1542. After a number of years as a Carmelite, he was persuaded by Saint Teresa of Avila in 1568 to lead a reform movement among the brothers which brought a new energy to the Carmelite Order. Renowned for his wisdom and sanctity, his spiritual writings, especially the classic spiritual treatise “The Dark Night of the Soul”, remain a fitting testimony to his life. He died at Ubeda in 1591.

The Wisdom of Ben Sira derives its title from the author, “Yeshua [Jesus], son of Eleazar, son of Sira”. The title “Sirach” comes from the Greek form of the author’s name. The author, a sage who lived in Jerusalem, was thoroughly imbued with love for the wisdom tradition, and also for the law, priesthood, Temple, and divine worship. As a wise and experienced observer of life he addressed himself to his contemporaries with the motive of helping them to maintain religious faith and integrity through study of the books sacred to the Jewish tradition.

The book contains numerous well-crafted maxims, grouped by affinity, and dealing with a variety of subjects such as the individual, the family, and the community in their relations with one another and with God. It treats of friendship, education, poverty and wealth, laws, religious worship, and many other matters that reflect the religious and social customs of the time.