As we meditate on the readings of Sirach 31:8-11 and Luke 12:35-40 in the spirit of Feria V after the Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost, we find a profound call to vigilance, humility, and fidelity. Both passages speak to the heart of Christian virtue, challenging us to remain ever-ready for the Lord’s coming and to lead lives marked by integrity and detachment from worldly possessions.
Sirach 31:8-11: The Blessedness of the Just Man
The Book of Sirach extols the blessedness of the man who has found wisdom and has not succumbed to the allure of wealth. “Blessed is the rich man who is found without blemish, and who has not gone after gold” (Sir 31:8). This verse reminds us of the true nature of blessedness—not in material wealth, but in the purity of heart and fidelity to God.
St. John Chrysostom, in his Homilies on Wealth and Poverty, reflects on the dangers of riches, not as inherently evil, but as a potential snare that can lead one away from God. He argues that true wealth lies in virtue, saying, “Let us not be distressed that others are rich while we are poor. If we are more virtuous than they, we are more rich than they, more honored, and more powerful.”
The man praised in Sirach is one who possesses wealth yet remains free from its corrupting influence, having “not sought gold and silver,” nor been seduced by the pleasures they promise. His wealth does not dictate his actions, but rather his fear of the Lord. The Church Fathers often emphasized that detachment from wealth was necessary for spiritual freedom. St. Clement of Alexandria in The Rich Man’s Salvation highlights that riches are to be used virtuously: “The man who uses his wealth for charity and justice is not condemned for his wealth, but praised for his piety.”
This passage from Sirach also connects well with the idea of storing up treasure in heaven, a concept reinforced in the Gospel reading from Luke.
Luke 12:35-40: The Call to Vigilance
In Luke 12:35-40, Christ speaks to His disciples about the necessity of being watchful and prepared, like servants awaiting their master’s return from a wedding feast. “Let your loins be girded about, and your lamps burning,” He commands, urging an attitude of constant readiness.
St. Cyril of Alexandria interprets this passage in his commentary on Luke, noting that Christ is the Bridegroom, and the wedding feast signifies the divine union between God and His Church. The servants, therefore, must remain vigilant, clothed with the armor of righteousness, and their lamps burning with the oil of good works and faith. “He who is ready and watches continuously with undimmed and bright burning lamps, will enter with joy into the banquet of Christ,” writes St. Cyril.
This Gospel echoes the message from Sirach about the just man who is prepared for the final judgment. Both passages stress the importance of living in a way that is pleasing to God, untainted by the world’s distractions. The vigilant servant is rewarded by the master, who, surprisingly, girds himself and serves the faithful servant. This reversal of roles is a profound illustration of divine humility and the reward for those who live in readiness.
St. Augustine, in his sermon on this Gospel passage, expounds on the concept of spiritual readiness. He teaches that the Lord’s delay is not to encourage laxity but to give time for repentance and growth in virtue. “The delay of God is not a denial of justice; it is a deferral of punishment, so that when He comes, He may find us repentant,” Augustine asserts.
Conclusion: Living in Expectation of the Lord
As we reflect on these readings in the context of Feria V after the Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost, we are called to embrace a life of vigilance and humility. Sirach teaches us the blessedness of the just man, who, though wealthy, is not ensnared by his riches. Luke’s Gospel urges us to be like servants waiting for their master, always prepared, our hearts set on the things of God rather than the fleeting treasures of this world.
The Church Fathers consistently teach that true wealth is found in virtue and that the faithful servant, vigilant and prepared, will receive the ultimate reward—eternal life with Christ. As we journey through this liturgical season, let us gird our loins with truth, keep our lamps burning with the light of faith, and remain steadfast in our pursuit of holiness, ever mindful that the Lord may come at any hour.
Thus, the readings and teachings of the Fathers remind us to live in constant expectation of the Lord, striving to be found among those whom He will serve at His heavenly banquet. May we be granted the grace to remain vigilant, detached from earthly riches, and ever faithful in our service to the Divine Master.