Sirach 38:23 is a passage about mourning and grief. Let's break it down:
"When the dead is at rest, let his remembrance rest;" This suggests that there is a time to grieve, but also a time to move on. Once the burial is complete and the immediate period of mourning has passed, it is healthy to allow the constant and intense focus on the deceased to lessen. It's not about forgetting the person, but about finding a way to live with the loss without being consumed by it. It means that you shouldn't dwell excessively on every detail of the death, but allow the deceased to "rest" in your memory in a peaceful way.
"And be comforted for him, when his spirit departs from him." This encourages finding solace and comfort after the person has died. It's an acknowledgment of the pain of loss and a permission to seek ways to heal. The focus is on the mourner's well-being, suggesting that finding comfort is important for their own sake. It implies that their spirit has moved on, suggesting that you should be comforted by the thought that they are not suffering anymore.
In essence, the verse encourages:
Acceptance: Recognizing the finality of death.
Balance: Finding a way to remember the deceased without being overwhelmed by grief.
Self-Care: Seeking comfort and allowing yourself to heal.
Peace: Finding solace in the belief that the deceased is now at peace.
The overall message is about the natural cycle of grief. It suggests that there's a time for intense mourning, but also a time to find peace and move forward, honoring the deceased in a way that doesn't prevent the living from living fully.
Sirach 38:23 is a passage about mourning and grief. Let's break it down:
"When the dead is at rest, let his remembrance rest;" This suggests that there is a time to grieve, but also a time to move on. Once the burial is complete and the immediate period of mourning has passed, it is healthy to allow the constant and intense focus on the deceased to lessen. It's not about forgetting the person, but about finding a way to live with the loss without being consumed by it. It means that you shouldn't dwell excessively on every detail of the death, but allow the deceased to "rest" in your memory in a peaceful way.
"And be comforted for him, when his spirit departs from him." This encourages finding solace and comfort after the person has died. It's an acknowledgment of the pain of loss and a permission to seek ways to heal. The focus is on the mourner's well-being, suggesting that finding comfort is important for their own sake. It implies that their spirit has moved on, suggesting that you should be comforted by the thought that they are not suffering anymore.
In essence, the verse encourages:
Acceptance: Recognizing the finality of death.
Balance: Finding a way to remember the deceased without being overwhelmed by grief.
Self-Care: Seeking comfort and allowing yourself to heal.
Peace: Finding solace in the belief that the deceased is now at peace.
The overall message is about the natural cycle of grief. It suggests that there's a time for intense mourning, but also a time to find peace and move forward, honoring the deceased in a way that doesn't prevent the living from living fully.