"We live only in our life"

In the midst of today’s first reading (Sirach 48:1-14), during a long exaltation of the memory of the prophet Elijah, we hear this sentence that may strike us a little oddly:

For we live only in our life,
but after death our name will not be such.

This sentence is not found in every manuscript nor every translation (although it is in the Vulgate).

nam nos vita vivimus
tantum post mortem autem non erit tale nomen nostrum

Taken in full context, this verse speaks bluntly of the finitude of our earthly life.

It is a reminder that we need to use well NOW – right now – whatever life God has given us on this earth.

On this one life – and most importantly, on the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ – eternity depends.