Daily Contemplation

The Lord created man out of earth,
and turned him back to it again.
He gave to men few days, a limited time,
but granted them authority over the things upon the earth.
He endowed them with strength like His own,
and made them in His own image.
He placed the fear of them in all living beings,
and granted them dominion over beasts and birds.
He made for them tongue and eyes;
He gave them ears and a mind for thinking.
He filled them with knowledge and understanding,
and showed them good and evil.
He set His eye upon their hearts
to show them the majesty of His works.
And they will praise His holy name,
to proclaim the grandeur of His works.
He bestowed knowledge upon them,
and allotted to them the law of life.
He established with them an eternal covenant,
and showed them His judgments.
Their eyes saw His glorious majesty,
and their ears heard the glory of His voice.
And He said to them, “Beware of all unrighteousness.”
And He gave commandment to each of them concerning his neighbor.
Their ways are always before Him,
they will not be hid from His eyes.
(Sir 17:1-15)