Екклезиастик (Книга Премудрости Иисуса, сына Сирахова), Глава 32, стих 1. Толкования стиха

HUMILITY IN GUIDING SOULS. GREGORY THE GREAT: Directors of souls should remain firm in that exterior attitude they assume in view of the good of others, while preserving in their heart that disposition that makes them fear nothing so much as a high estimation of themselves. Those under them, however, should be able to perceive, from certain indications of a sober spontaneity, that they are humble, and in this way see both what they must fear of their authority and what they must imitate of their humility. For this reason, the greater their power appears outwardly to others, the more superiors must not cease to ensure that they inwardly keep it under control. They cannot let it overcome their thoughts or let their hearts be carried away by its delights, lest the mind prove unable to control the very thing it submits itself to, due to a lust for domination. In fact, so that the heart of the superior not be carried away to the point of exaltation over pleasure in his power, a wise man rightly said, “They have made you a leader. Do not exalt yourself but be among them as one of them.” For this reason Peter also says, “Not as masters over those assigned to you, but be an example to the flock.” The Truth, therefore, inviting us to the highest merits of virtue, says, “Know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are greater make their power felt. It shall not be this way among you, but the one who wants to be the greatest will be your servant, and the one who wants to be first among you will be your slave—like the Son of man, who did not come to be served but to serve.” This is the meaning of the words referring to that servant who was exalted by the power he had received, but afterward punishments await him, “And if that wicked servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delayed in coming,’ and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with drunkards, then the master of that servant will come on a day that he does not expect and an hour he does not know, and he will cut him off, and his fate will be that of the hypocrites.” And one is rightly considered a hypocrite who, under the pretext of discipline, turns the ministry of governance into an exercise of power. PASTORAL RULE 2.6.

О начальниках пира премудрость говорит, что они должны наблюдать порядок в усаживаньи за трапезу, благоразумие в ведении речи и умеренность в продолжении пира (32 гл. 1 -15 Ал. и Ват, 35, 1—13). Впрочем, эти правила будут приняты и исполняемы боящимися Господа и благоразумными (16— 25=Ал. и—24), которые, потому, не подвергнутся никакому злу: тогда как не слушающий советов премудрости подобен кораблю в бурном море (33:1-2,=Ал. 36, 1—2).

JOSHUA IS AN IMAGE OF JESUS. ORIGEN: Joshua gave the inheritance to all of the children of Judah. He who gave it to Ephraim and to the half-tribe of Manasseh. He gave the inheritance to the glorious Caleb, son of Jephunneh, having sent three men from each tribe to go through the country and describe it in a book and return to show it to them. He himself drew the lots for all and reserved the last place for himself. Why do you think he wanted to be last? Certainly to be the first of all. He did not take this part of himself but received it from the people, who gave the inheritance to the one from whom they had received it. In fact, it is written, “The children of Israel gave the part to Joshua, son of Nun.” “But this happened to them as a sign,” that it might be proposed as a model for us and that we in turn might observe the precept he practiced, which says, “The greater you are, the more humble you will be, and thus you will find grace with the Lord,” and also that which is written, “If they have made you the head, do not exalt yourself but be among them as one of them.” HOMILIES ON JOSHUA 24.2.