invites

May 6, 2016

Conduct with others (Sir 13:8-13:11)

“Take care not to be led astray.

Do not be humiliated

When you are enjoying yourself.

When an influential person invites you,

Be reserved.

He will invite you more insistently.

Do not be forward,

Otherwise you may be rebuffed.

Do not stand aloof,

Otherwise you will be forgotten.

Do not try to treat him

As an equal.

Do not trust his lengthy conversations.

He will test you by prolonged talk.

While he smiles,

He will be examining you.”

Sirach has some advice on how you are to deal with other people. You should not be lead astray or humiliated while you are enjoying yourself. If an influential powerful person invites you over, you should be reserved. Thus he will be more insistent. Do not be pushy or you might be pushed back. Do not be aloof and standoffish or you might be forgotten. However, do not treat this person like an equal. Watch out for long conversations because while he is smiling, he is actually examining you.

March 18, 2016

The invitation (Song 4:8-4:8)

Male lover

“Come with me

From Lebanon!

My bride!

Come with me

From Lebanon!

Depart

From the peak of Amana,

From the peak of Senir,

From the peak of Hermon,

From the dens of lions,

From the mountains of leopards.”

This female lover seems to be from the northern mountain country of Lebanon. This male lover asks her twice to leave there. He invites her to depart from the northern mountain peaks of Amana, Senir, and Hermon. She was to pass through the mountain caves where lions and leopards lived. There is, of course, a later allegory of Christ descending from the heavenly peaks to go through the sufferings of the lions and the leopards.