Scripture Notes: Appearances and Reality (Sirach 13)

The Book of Sirach continually returns to the theme of appearance versus reality. Sirach is, after all, a realist, and he knows all too well how some people try to deceive others, showing one thing by their appearance while their reality is much, much different. Some “friends” are only using others for their own advantage. Some “advocates” are only pursuing their own agendas. Some “supporters” are only supporting themselves. This may sound a little cynical, but we have all experienced it in one way or another. Appearances do not always match reality.

At the end of chapter 13, though, Sirach indicates that deceptions like this do not hold up for long. We can tell a person’s true character if we pay close attention, for “A man’s heart changes his countenance, either for good or for evil. The mark of a happy heart is a cheerful face…” In other words, faces don’t lie for very long. People’s expressions slip. Their true characters peek out. What is reality on the inside will appear on the outside. We just have to learn to read the signs.  

This little passage also tells us something about ourselves. Our faces will show our inner thoughts and feelings and dispositions. Maybe not all the time, for people are still good at hiding things. But reality will win out in the end. So the best way to cultivate a cheerful face is to cultivate a happy heart, and the best way to cultivate a happy heart is to grow closer and closer to God.