Fear Not 220

Beloved brethren gathered in the fading light of this evening, let us ponder the wisdom of Sirach, that sage of Jerusalem whose words echo through the ages as part of the sacred Septuagint cherished by the apostolic Church. Composed in the second century before our Lord, this book of instruction calls us to bless the Eternal One who alone endures beyond the fleeting shadows of time and empire. The Fathers of the Early Church, drawing from this deuterocanonical treasure, saw in its verses a foretaste of the Gospel's promise of unending life in Christ. St. Augustine, in his reflections on the Psalms akin to this passage, reminds us that true joy springs not from earthly crowns or transient comforts but from the heart aligned with the everlasting God. As the Catena Aurea gathers testimonies from Chrysostom and others on the joy of the redeemed, we hear how the Lord grants a gladness that no persecution or sorrow can extinguish. In the catacombs and basilicas of old, the faithful clung to such words, unplugged from the vanities of Rome, finding courage in the One who lives forever. Consider, dear flock, the historical witness: Ben Sira's hymn of praise at the close of his work mirrors the benedictions of the patriarchs and prophets, pointing forward to the Incarnate Word who fulfills all wisdom. The Early Fathers taught that this joy of heart is a divine gift, a fruit of the Spirit that sustains the soul amid trials, much as the martyrs sang hymns while facing beasts. It bids us to fear not the morrow, for the Eternal One holds all in His hand. In this unplugged evening meditation, let the words of Sirach awaken within you a deeper trust. Release the burdens of the day and receive the joy that the Lord alone bestows, a joy rooted in eternity rather than the hour's fleeting news. As the sun sets, may our hearts rise in blessing to Him who is from everlasting to everlasting. #FearNot220 #FearNotUNPLUGGED #220of220 #Catholic