Scripture Daily

Context No. 1260 of 4322 · Sirach

Context · Reflection

Sirach 50:1-16: in context

1It was Simon, the son of Onias, the high priest, who in his life repaired the house, and in his days strengthened the temple. 2The foundation was built by him to the height of the double walls, the lofty retaining walls of the temple enclosure. 3In his days, a water cistern was dug, the brazen vessel like the sea in circumference. 4He planned to save his people from ruin, and fortified the city against siege. 5How glorious he was when the people gathered around him as he came out of the house of the veil! 6He was like the morning star among clouds, like the full moon, 7like the sun shining on the temple of the Most High, like the rainbow shining in clouds of glory, 8like roses in the days of first fruits, like lilies by a water spring, like the shoot of the frankincense tree in summer time, 9like fire and incense in the censer, like a vessel of beaten gold adorned with all kinds of precious stones, 10like an olive tree loaded with fruit, and like a cypress growing high among the clouds. 11When he put on his glorious robe, and clothed himself in perfect splendor, ascending to the holy altar, he made the court of the sanctuary glorious. 12When he received the portions out of the priests’ hands, as he stood by the hearth of the altar, with his kindred like a garland around him, he was like a young cedar in Lebanon surrounded by the trunks of palm trees. 13All the sons of Aaron in their glory, held the Lord’s offering in their hands before all the congregation of Israel. 14Finishing the service at the altars, that he might arrange the offering of the Most High, the Almighty, 15he stretched out his hand to the cup of libation, and poured out the cup of the grape. He poured it out at the foot of the altar, a sweet smelling fragrance to the Most High, the King of all. 16Then the sons of Aaron shouted. They sounded the trumpets of beaten work. They made a great fanfare to be heard, for a reminder before the Most High.

Ben Sira closes his praise of Israel's great figures with a glowing portrait of Simon the high priest. He recalls how Simon repaired and fortified the temple and the city. But the heart of the passage is Simon at worship: how glorious he was when he came out from behind the veil, like the morning star among clouds, like the full moon, like the sun shining on the temple, like a rainbow, like roses, like lilies, like fire and incense, like an olive tree laden with fruit. Clothed in his splendid robes, ascending to the altar, receiving the offerings, pouring out the libation, while the sons of Aaron shouted and the trumpets sounded, he made the whole court of the sanctuary glorious.

What Ben Sira lavishes his poetry on is the beauty and splendor of worship rightly done. He piles up image after radiant image, the morning star, the full moon, the rainbow, roses and lilies, to describe the high priest ministering at the altar, because to him the sight of worship offered well was among the beautiful things in the world. This is a reminder worth recovering in an age that often treats worship as either a chore or a casual thing. Ben Sira saw glory in it, the glory of a life given to serving God at the altar, the glory of the whole community gathered in reverent celebration, trumpets sounding, the priest in his robes, the offering ascending. Worship, done with beauty and seriousness and joy, is a glorious thing, and there is a place for its splendor, for taking the time and care to make the approach to God beautiful. And there is a forward glance in it too. Simon the high priest, coming out from behind the veil in splendor to bless the people, is a shadow of the great High Priest who would come out from the true sanctuary. The beauty Ben Sira saw in Simon's ministry points to the greater glory of Christ, our High Priest, whose service made the whole people glorious.

Do I see worship as a chore or a casual thing, or can I recover Ben Sira's sense of its glory and beauty, giving the approach to God the care and reverence its splendor deserves?

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