THE STING OF DEATH…

Sirach 27:4-7

4 When a sieve is shaken, the refuse remains; so a man’s filth remains in his thoughts. 5 The kiln tests the potter’s vessels; so the test of a man is in his reasoning.6 The fruit discloses the cultivation of a tree; so the expression of a thought discloses the cultivation of a man’s mind. 7 Do not praise a man before you hear him reason, for this is the test of men.

1 Corinthians 15:54-58

54 When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”55 “O death, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting?”
56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

Luke 6:39-45

39 He also told them a parable: “Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? 40 A disciple is not above his teacher, but every one when he is fully taught will be like his teacher.
41 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?
42 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother’s eye.
43 “For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit;
44 for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thorns, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. 45 The good man out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil man out of his evil treasure produces evil; for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.  

MEDITATION

THE PROPHET SIRACH Describe sin as “filth” that has its origin in the mind where it is formulated and cultivated. The effects of sin can be seen in the quality of the fruit that the tree bears. Sirach posits that the way a man reason, will disclose or evidence the trajectory of his ways. 

St PAUL TEACH that the causal link between mans death and or salvation are acts of sin or the avoidance of sin. Whilst mans death was swallowed up in the victory of Christ who concured death, we are called to live a moral life-unmoved by the allure of sin- that the OT law could not temper or purify. Whilst Christs death and ressurection has so to speak led us off the hook, the caveat that we remain steadfast and avoid the occasion to sin remains in place. Christs victory certainly does not suppose that our sins will be covered with snow! 

THE GOSPEL READING: Once we wear the mantle of Christ it follows that we will be more acutely and consciously aware of our faults and failings—specks, logs and bramble—obstacles and irretations, that may sting us to death if we remain blind. To say that we are “saved” as if our bed is already made in heaven, is a fallacy because Christ alone is the One who shall judge us on the last day. 

With this said, we must refrain from harshly appraising others whilst our way of life is not correctly ordered towards goodness, justice and purity. As students of Christ, we are called to become illuminated like our Teacher when we allow His work of grace to temper and purify us. 

LET US PRAY: Psalms 92:2-3,13-15
2 to declare thy steadfast love in the morning, and thy faithfulness by night,
3 to the music of the lute and the harp, to the melody of the lyre.13 They are planted in the house of the LORD, they flourish in the courts of our God.14 They still bring forth fruit in old age, they are ever full of sap and green, 15 to show that the LORD is upright; he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.

Commentary. Henry R SYLVESTER Note: The daily scripture readings are taken from the Roman Missal which the Catholic Church use in the daily Celebration of the Holy Eucharist throughout the world.Some weekly readings may differ because of the celebration of local feast days.