Sirach 2

As we come to and from the Baptismal font, we are invited headlong into a covenant that we sometimes barely understand. As our book reminds: "The covenant is a tall order. As we make these vows, we know we will continue to fall short. But we make the promises just the same, because they are an expression of the direction we want to see our lives and the lives around us move. We want to see the lives marked by--and this will come as no surprise--full and steadfast relationships, both between ourselves and God and between ourselves and all other people and all of creation."

Sirach is a a book in scripture that the Anglican tradition does not read as "canonical" but sufficient for "example of life and instruction of manners." I find the piece below to help give us some "manners" about our covenant in Baptism and a good example for living in that covenant. Indeed, let us fall into the hands of the Lord.

Sirach 2

My child, when you come to serve the Lord,

prepare yourself for trials.

2Be sincere of heart and steadfast,

and do not be impetuous in time of adversity.

3Cling to him, do not leave him,

that you may prosper in your last days.

4Accept whatever happens to you;

in periods of humiliation be patient.

5For in fire gold is tested,

and the chosen, in the crucible of humiliation.

6Trust in God, and he will help you;

make your ways straight and hope in him.

7You that fear the Lord, wait for his mercy,

do not stray lest you fall.

8You that fear the Lord, trust in him,

and your reward will not be lost.

9You that fear the LORD, hope for good things,

for lasting joy and mercy.

10Consider the generations long past and see:

has anyone trusted in the Lord and been disappointed?

Has anyone persevered in his fear and been forsaken?

has anyone called upon him and been ignored?

11For the Lord is compassionate and merciful;

forgives sins and saves in time of trouble.

12Woe to timid hearts and drooping hands,

to the sinner who walks a double path!

13Woe to the faint of heart! For they do not trust,

and therefore have no shelter!

14Woe to you that have lost hope!

what will you do at the Lord’s visitation?

15Those who fear the Lord do not disobey his words;

those who love him keep his ways.

16Those who fear the Lord seek to please him;

those who love him are filled with his law.

17Those who fear the Lord prepare their hearts

and humble themselves before him.

18Let us fall into the hands of the Lord

and not into the hands of mortals,

For equal to his majesty is his mercy;
and equal to his name are his works.