Catholic Commentary on Sirach 32

"Seek the Lord, and he will help you; make your ways straight and hope in him." (Sirach 2:6)

Behaviour at Table and the Role of Law

If they make you master of the feast, do not exalt yourself; be among them as one of their number. Take care of them first and then sit down; when you have fulfilled all your duties, take your place, so that you may be merry along with them and receive a wreath for your excellent leadership. Speak, you who are older, for it is your right, but with accurate knowledge, and do not interrupt the music. Pour out words where there is an audience for them, and do not prevent the music. Where no one is listening, do not pour out talk; do not exalt yourself at the wrong time. Seek the Lord, and he will help you; make your ways straight and hope in him. In all your works acknowledge the Most High, and he will direct your steps.

The Catechism draws from Sirach's table etiquette the principle of the right ordering of social relationships: the one who leads serves first, and the one who speaks waits for the right moment (CCC 1900).

Living the Word

Brothers and sisters, seek the Lord and he will help you. Acknowledge the Most High in all your works and he will direct your steps. The beginning, middle, and end of every enterprise - from the banquet to the business venture - is the acknowledgment of God. The steps that are directed by him are the steps that arrive where they are meant to go.

Prayer

Lord God, in all our works we acknowledge you. Direct our steps. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

32
1 Have they made thee ruler? be not lifted up: be among them as one of them. 2 Have care of them, and so sit down, and when thou hast acquitted thyself of all thy charge, take thy place: 3 That thou mayst rejoice for them, and receive a crown as an ornament of grace, and get the honour of the contribution. 4 Speak, thou that art elder: for it becometh thee, 5 To speak the first word with care knowledge, and hinder not music. 6 Where there is no hearing, pour out words, and be not lifted up out season with thy wisdom. 7 A concert of music in a banquet wine is as a carbuncle set in gold. 8 As a signet of an emerald in a work of gold: so is the melody of music with pleasant and moderate wine. 9 Hear in silence, and for thy reverence good grace shall come to thee. 10 Young man, scarcely speak in thy own cause. 11 If thou be asked twice, let thy answer be short. 12 In many things be as if thou wert ignorant, and hear in silence and withal seeking. 13 In the company of great men bake not upon thee: and when the ancients are present, speak not much. 14 Before a storm goeth lightning: and before shamefacedness goeth favour: and for thy reverence good grace shall come to thee. 15 And at the time of rising be not slack: but be first to run home to thy house, and there withdraw thyself, and there take thy pastime. 16 And do what thou hast a mind, but not in sin or proud speech. 17 And for all these things bless the Lord, that made thee, and that replenisheth thee with all his good things. 18 He that feareth the Lord, will receive his discipline: and they that will seek him early, shall find a blessing. 19 He that seeketh the law, shall be filled with it: and he that dealeth deceitfully, shall meet with a stumblingblock therein. 20 They that fear the Lord, shall find just judgment, and shall kindle justice as a light. 21 A sinful man will flee reproof, and will find an excuse according to his will. 22 A man of counsel will not neglect understanding, a strange and proud man will not dread fear: 23 Even after he hath done with fear without counsel, he shall be controlled by the things of his own seeking. 24 My son, do thou nothing without counsel, and thou shalt not repent when thou hast done. 25 Go not in the way of ruin, and thou shalt not stumble against the stones; trust not thyself to a rugged may, lest thou set a stumblingblock to thy soul. 26 And beware of thy own children, and take heed of them of thy household. 27 In every work of thine regard thy soul in faith: for this is the keeping of the commandments. 28 He that believeth God, taketh heed to the commandments: and he that trusteth in him, shall fare never the worse.

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