It turns out, that feeling might be older than you think.
Ben Sira, that wise sage from centuries ago, put it bluntly: "He that sinneth against his Maker will behave himself proudly against a physician." Ouch. It's a powerful statement, isn't it? It suggests a connection between our spiritual well-being and how we treat our physical health and those who care for it. Perhaps ignoring medical advice is, in a way, a rejection of the gift of life itself.
But Ben Sira doesn't just deal with our bodies; he delves deep into the heart of grief and mourning. He reminds us, "My son, let tears fall over the dead: Be in bitterness, and wail with lamentation."
He urges us to fully embrace the pain of loss. To not shy away from the tears, the bitterness, the wailing. It’s a powerful directive, especially in a world that often tells us to "move on" quickly.
And how should we mourn? Ben Sira gets practical: "According to the manner of each, bury his flesh; And hide not thyself when they die." Attend to the body with respect, he says. Don't isolate yourself in grief. Be present.
There’s a rawness to this, a call to participate fully in the rituals of death. It's a reminder that mourning isn't just a feeling; it's an action.
Then comes a fascinating glimpse into the customs of the time: "Weep bitterly, and make grievous wailing; And appoint mourning accordingly: A day or two because of hearsay; And be comforted for the sake of health."
Did you catch that? A day or two of mourning based on hearsay? It speaks to a world where news traveled differently, where certainty was a luxury. And then, the gentle nudge towards healing: "be comforted for the sake of health." Grief is important, Ben Sira acknowledges, but so is our well-being.
He concludes with a somber warning: "Out of sorrow cometh harm; So the sad of heart buildeth up trouble." Unprocessed grief, he suggests, can fester and create more pain. It's a sentiment echoed in many traditions, highlighting the importance of healthy grieving processes.
Think about that for a moment. Is Ben Sira saying that wallowing in sorrow is detrimental? That unchecked grief can actually create more problems? It’s not about suppressing sadness, but about finding a way to move through it, to acknowledge the pain without letting it consume us.
Ben Sira offers us a timeless guide to navigating life's challenges: from the everyday choices we make about our health to the profound experience of loss. It's a reminder that our bodies and our spirits are intertwined, and that both deserve our care and attention. And maybe, just maybe, he's also reminding us that it's okay to cry. It's okay to mourn. It's okay to be human.