Reading of the Word of God

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

This is the Gospel of the poor,
liberation for the imprisoned,
sight for the blind,
freedom for the oppressed.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

Sirach 44,1.9-13

Next let us praise illustrious men, our ancestors in their successive generations. While others have left no memory, and disappeared as though they had not existed. They are now as though they had never been, and so too, their children after them. But here is a list of illustrious men whose good works have not been forgotten. In their descendants they find a rich inheritance, their posterity. Their descendants stand by the commandments and, thanks to them, so do their children's children. Their offspring will last for ever, their glory will not fade.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

The Son of Man came to serve,
whoever wants to be great
should become servant of all.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

From Enoch to the high priest Simon, son of Onias, who lived around 300 BC, Ben Sira lists the great names that appear in the biblical text as pillars of faith in the God of covenant and peace. Looking back into past history is a stimulus and a challenge for us as well. Remembering the fathers in faith is not a useless nostalgia but a confirmation that the Lord has always acted in human history through men and women whom he raised up to be, for Israel but also for neighbouring peoples, guides and models of justice and faithfulness. History is not mute, nor is it played out in an eternal return, it is like a road that is fulfilled day after day with the help and constant presence of the Lord towards a destination: the holy mountain of God where all peoples set out for an eternal celebration. In this history of salvation, the Lord raises up "godly men, whose righteous deeds have not been forgotten" (v. 10). Such witnesses of God's dream for the world are not only a spiritual guarantee for all, but they are also a leaven of salvation that makes God's plan for humanity grow. It is good to remember those who have gone before us so that we can grasp God's plan, welcome it, and feel responsible for it. This is the meaning of Jesus' warning: "Many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it" (Mt 13:17).