Fragmenda

Scripture

Ecclesiasticus 28–30

Ecclesiasticus 28

Lessons against revenge and quarrels. The evils of the tongue.

1 

He that seeketh to revenge himself, shall find vengeance from the Lord, and he will surely keep his sins in remembrance.

2 

Forgive thy neighbour if he hath hurt thee: and then shall thy sins be forgiven to thee when thou prayest.

3 

Man to man reserveth anger, and doth he seek remedy of God?

4 

He hath no mercy on a man like himself, and doth he entreat for his own sins?

5 

He that is but flesh, nourisheth anger, and doth he ask forgiveness of God? who shall obtain pardon for his sins?

6 

Remember thy last things, and let enmity cease:

7 

For corruption and death hang over in his commandments.

8 

Remember the fear of God, and be not angry with thy neighbour.

9 

Remember the covenant of the most High, and overlook the ignorance of thy neighbour.

10 

Refrain from strife, and thou shalt diminish thy sins.

11 

For a passionate man kindleth strife, and a sinful man will trouble his friends, and bring in debate in the midst of them that are at peace.

12 

For as the wood of the forest is, so the fire burneth, and as a man’s strength is, so shall his anger be, and according to his riches he shall increase his anger.

13 

A hasty contention kindleth a fire and a hasty quarrel sheddeth blood and a tongue that beareth witness bringeth death.

14 

If thou blow the spark, it shall burn as a fire: and if thou spit upon it, it shall be quenched: both come out of the mouth.

15 

The whisperer and the double tongue is accursed: for he hath troubled many that were at peace.

16 

The tongue of a third person hath disquieted many, and scattered them from nation to nation.

17 

It hath destroyed the strong cities of the rich, and hath overthrown the houses of great men.

18 

It hath cut in pieces the forces of people, and undone strong nations.

19 

The tongue of a third person hath cast out valiant women, and deprived them of their labours.

20 

He that hearkeneth to it, shall never have rest, neither shall he have a friend in whom he may repose.

21 

The stroke of a whip maketh a blue mark: but the stroke of the tongue will break the bones.

22 

Many have fallen by the edge of the sword, but not so many as have perished by their own tongue.

23 

Blessed is he that is defended from a wicked tongue, that hath not passed into the wrath thereof, and that hath not drawn the yoke thereof, and hath not been bound in its bands.

24 

For its yoke is a yoke of iron: and its bands are bands of brass.

25 

The death thereof is a most evil death: and hell is preferable to it.

26 

Its continuance shall not be for a long time, but it shall possess the ways of the unjust: and the just shall not be burnt with its flame.

27 

They that forsake God shall fall into it, and it shall burn in them, and shall not be quenched, and it shall be sent upon them as a lion, and as a leopard it shall tear them.

28 

Hedge in thy ears with thorns, hear not a wicked tongue, and make doors and bars to thy mouth.

29 

Melt down thy gold and silver, and make a balance for thy words, and a just bridle for thy mouth:

30 

And take heed lest thou slip with thy tongue, and fall in the sight of thy enemies who lie in wait for thee, and thy fall be incurable unto death.


Ecclesiasticus 29

Of charity in lending money, and justice in repaying. Of alms, and of being surety.

1 

He that sheweth mercy, lendeth to his neighbour: and he that is stronger in hand, keepeth the commandments.

2 

Lend to thy neighbour in the time of his need, and pay thou thy neighbour again in due time.

3 

Keep thy word, and deal faithfully with him: and thou shalt always find that which is necessary for thee.

4 

Many have looked upon a thing lent as a thing found, and have given trouble to them that helped them.

5 

Till they receive, they kiss the hands of the lender, and in promises they humble their voice:

6 

But when they should repay, they will ask time, and will return tedious and murmuring words, and will complain of the time:

7 

And if he be able to pay, he will stand off, he will scarce pay one half, and will count it as if he had found it:

8 

But if not, he will defraud him of his money, and he shall get him for an enemy without cause.

9 

And he will pay him with reproaches and curses, and instead of honour and good turn will repay him injuries.

10 

Many have refused to lend, not out of wickedness, but they were afraid to be defrauded without cause.

11 

But yet towards the poor be thou more hearty, and delay not to shew him mercy.

12 

Help the poor because of the commandment: and send him not away empty handed because of his poverty.

13 

Lose thy money for thy brother and thy friend: and hide it not under a stone to be lost.

14 

Place thy treasure in the commandments of the most High, and it shall bring thee more profit than gold.

15 

Shut up alms in the heart of the poor, and it shall obtain help for thee against all evil.

16 

Better than the shield of the mighty, and better than the spear:

17 

It shall fight for thee against thy enemy.

18 

A good man is surety for his neighbour: and he that hath lost shame, will leave him to himself.

19 

Forget not the kindness of thy surety: for he hath given his life for thee.

20 

The sinner and the unclean fleeth from his surety.

21 

A sinner attributeth to himself the goods of his surety: and he that is of an unthankful mind will leave him that delivered him.

22 

A man is surety for his neighbour: and when he hath lost all shame, he shall forsake him.

23 

Evil suretyship hath undone many of good estate, and hath tossed them as a wave of the sea.

24 

It hath made powerful men to go from place to place round about, and they have wandered in strange countries.

25 

A sinner that transgresseth the commandment of the Lord, shall fall into an evil suretyship: and he that undertaketh many things, shall fall into judgment.

26 

Recover thy neighbour according to thy power, and take heed to thyself that thou fall not.

27 

The chief thing for man’s life is water and bread, and clothing, and a house to cover shame.

28 

Better is the poor man’s fare under a roof of boards, than sumptuous cheer abroad in another man’s house.

29 

Be contented with little instead of much, and thou shalt not hear the reproach of going abroad.

30 

It is a miserable life to go as a guest from house to house: for where a man is a stranger, he shall not deal confidently, nor open his mouth.

31 

He shall entertain and feed, and give drink to the unthankful, and moreover he shall hear bitter words.

32 

Go, stranger, and furnish the table, and give others to eat what thou hast in thy hand.

33 

Give place to the honourable presence of my friends: for I want my house, my brother being to be lodged with me.

34 

These things are grievous to a man of understanding: the upbraiding of houseroom, and the reproaching of the lender.


Ecclesiasticus 30

Of correction of children. Health is better than wealth. Excessive grief is hurtful.

1 

He that loveth his son, frequently chastiseth him, that he may rejoice in his latter end, and not grope after the doors of his neighbours.

2 

He that instructeth his son shall be praised in him, and shall glory in him in the midst of them of his household.

3 

He that teacheth his son, maketh his enemy jealous, and in the midst of his friends he shall glory in him.

4 

His father is dead, and he is as if he were not dead: for he hath left one behind him that is like himself.

5 

While he lived he saw and rejoiced in him: and when he died he was not sorrowful, neither was he confounded before his enemies.

6 

For he left behind him a defender of his house against his enemies, and one that will requite kindness to his friends.

7 

For the souls of his sons he shall bind up his wounds, and at every cry his bowels shall be troubled.

8 

A horse not broken becometh stubborn, and a child left to himself will become headstrong.

9 

Give thy son his way, and he shall make thee afraid: play with him, and he shall make thee sorrowful.

10 

Laugh not with him, lest thou have sorrow, and at the last thy teeth be set on edge.

11 

Give him not liberty in his youth, and wink not at his devices.

12 

Bow down his neck while he is young, and beat his sides while he is a child, lest he grow stubborn, and regard thee not, and so be a sorrow of heart to thee.

13 

Instruct thy son, and labour about him, lest his lewd behaviour be an offence to thee.

14 

Better is a poor man who is sound, and strong of constitution, than a rich man who is weak and afflicted with evils.

15 

Health of the soul in holiness of justice, is better than all gold and silver: and a sound body, than immense revenues.

16 

There is no riches above the riches of the health of the body: and there is no pleasure above the joy of the heart.

17 

Better is death than a bitter life, and everlasting rest, than continual sickness.

18 

Good things that are hidden in a mouth that is shut, are as messes of meat set about a grave.

19 

What good shall an offering do to an idol? for it can neither eat, nor smell:

20 

So is he that is persecuted by the Lord, bearing the reward of his iniquity:

21 

He seeth with his eyes, and groaneth, as an eunuch embracing a virgin, and sighing.

22 

Give not up thy soul to sadness, and afflict not thyself in thy own counsel.

23 

The joyfulness of the heart, is the life of a man, and a never failing treasure of holiness: and the joy of a man is length of life.

24 

Have pity on thy own soul, pleasing God, and contain thyself: gather up thy heart in his holiness: and drive away sadness far from thee.

25 

For sadness hath killed many, and there is no profit in it.

26 

Envy and anger shorten a man’s days, and pensiveness will bring old age before the time.

27 

A cheerful and good heart is always feasting: for his banquets are prepared with diligence.

Catechism

An Explanation of the Baltimore Catechism of Christian Doctrine, Lesson 26, Question 285

285 Q. Which are the effects of the Sacrament of Matrimony?

A. The effects of the Sacrament of Matrimony are: first, to sanctify the love of husband and wife; second, to give them grace to bear with each other's weaknesses; third, to enable them to bring up their children in the fear and love of God.

The union and love existing between a husband and wife should be like the union and love existing between Our Lord and His Church. The grace of the Sacrament helps them to have such a love. "Weaknesses"—that is, their faults, bad dispositions, etc. "Bring up their children." This is their most important duty, and parents receive grace to perform it, and woe be to them if they abuse that grace! Children should remember that their parents have received this special grace from God to advise, direct, and warn them of sin; and if they refuse to obey their parents or despise their direction, they are despising God's grace. Remember that nothing teaches us so well as experience. Now your parents, even if God gave them no special grace, have experience. They have been children as you are; they have been young persons as you are; they have received advice from their parents and teachers as you do. If your parents are bad, it is because they have not heeded the advice given them. If they are good, it is because they have heeded and followed it. The years of your youth quickly pass, and you will soon be thrown out into the world, among strangers to provide for yourselves, and will perhaps have no one to advise you. If you neglect to learn while you have the opportunity you will be sorry for it in after life. If you waste your time in school, you will leave it knowing very little, and an ignorant man can never take any good position in the world; he can seldom be his own master and independent; he must always toil for others as a servant. God gives us our talents and opportunities that we may use them to the best of our ability, and He will hold us accountable for these. It is good and praiseworthy to raise ourselves and others in the world if we do so by lawful and proper means. You may have the opportunity of getting a good position, and will not be able to take it because you are not sufficiently educated. Many young men live to be sorry for wasting time in school, and try to make up for it by studying at night. You cannot really make up for lost time. Every moment God gives you He gives for some particular work, and He will require an account from you, at the last day, for the use you made of your time. Besides, you can learn with greater ease while you are young. But what shall I say of neglecting to learn your holy religion? If you neglect your school lessons you will not be successful in the world as businessmen or professional men; but if you neglect your religious lessons, you will be miserable, not merely in this world, but in the next, and that for all eternity. Again, will you not feel ashamed to say you are a Catholic when persons who are not Catholics ask you the meaning of something you believe or do, and you will not be able to answer? When they tell falsehoods against your religion, you will not, on account of your ignorance, be able to refute them. Almost the only time you have to learn the truths and practices of your holy religion is during the instructions at Sunday school or day school, and after a few years you will not have this advantage. When you grow up you may hear a sermon, and if you attend early Mass, only a short instruction, on Sundays; and if you do not know your Catechism, you will be less able to profit by the instructions given. Therefore the time to learn is while you are young, have sufficient leisure, and good, willing teachers to explain whatever you do not understand.

When you attend Sunday school, bear in mind that your teachers have frequently to sacrifice their time or pleasure for your sake, and that you should not repay them for their kindness by acts of disobedience, disrespect, and stubbornness. By spending your time in idleness, in giving annoyance to your teacher, and in distracting others who are willing to learn, you show a want of appreciation and gratitude for the blessings God has bestowed upon you, and please the devil exceedingly; and as God will hold you accountable for all His gifts, this one—the opportunity of learning your religion—will be no exception.