Word to the Wise
Monday, September 25, 2006 - 25th Monday in Ordinary Time
[Proverbs 3:27-34 and Luke 8:16-18]Refuse no one the good on which he has a claim when it is in your power to do it for him.
For the next several days, the church will meditate on the Book of Proverbs as the first scripture of the day. This book is like several others in the Old Testament that are commonly referred to as "the Wisdom Literature!" It appears to have been put together by a sage from several sources of wisdom. The basic motto of the book is, "Trust God and do what is right." This kind of literature exists in almost all civilizations and reflects the common experience of generations. We might find it in such expressions as "A penny saved is a penny earned," or the kind of things that Benjamin Franklin put in his "Poor Richard's Almanack." Nevertheless, because the Book of Proverbs is part of inspired scripture, it should make us pause and wonder why. Underlying biblical wisdom is biblical faith. It is very possible for a person to live what most people would consider a life of integrity and ethical practices or "fair play" without professing any religious faith. Those of us who try to live such a life in the context of our faith know that faith in God is what motivates the moral person. Ultimately it is love of God and neighbor that moves us. How is this lived out on the day to day basis? That is what the Book of Proverbs is all about. In today's gospel, we see an example of it in Jesus' image about not putting a lighted lamp under something that will conceal the light! Wisdom is, as a grade school kid once said to me, "knowledge gained from experience!" Reflection on our lived experience in the light of our faith is more than 20-20 hindsight! It points the way to the future! AMEN
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