NOTES for Sir 5:1-8
Jesus, son of Sirach, does not waste time on simple and elementary things. Even if something appears simple, an unobvious depth is hidden there rather than a trick. The first thesis is simple: "Do not say, 'Who has authority over my affairs?' for the Lord will surely punish your arrogance." The second is not obvious to everyone: "Do not say, 'I sinned, and what happened to me?' for the Lord is patient." Sometimes people really think that if God does not intervene in every event every three seconds, then He sees nothing at all and is involved in nothing. The third is the hardest: "When thinking of atonement, do not be fearless, adding sin to sins, and do not say, 'His mercy is great; He will forgive my many sins.'" After all, what could be more beautiful than hope in God's mercy? Saint Teresa, absolute trust in God... But the wise Jesus, son of Sirach, says: trust is beautiful if we are not hiding ordinary arrogance and permissiveness under the mask of trust. There is a difference between mercy and indulgence. The Lord forgives, but His mercy must not be abused.