Word to the Wise
Thursday, November 12, 2009 - St. Josaphat, Bishop and Martyr
[Wisdom 7:22b - 8:1 and Luke 17:20-25]In Wisdom is a spirit intelligent, holy, unique, manifold, subtle, agile, clear, unstained, certain, not baneful, loving the good, keen, unhampered, beneficent, kindly, firm, secure, tranquil, all-powerful, all-seeing, and pervading all spirits, though they be intelligent, pure and very subtle.....And passing into holy souls from age to age, she produces friends of God and prophets. For there is nought God loves, be it not one who dwells with Wisdom. [Book of Wisdom]
Wow! Those words from the first scripture for today certainly do a good job of making "Wisdom" attractive! One can only hope to get some of that "Wisdom!" The problem with that way of thinking is that "Wisdom" in this instance is not a quantifiable thing. It is a manifestation of the divine which is neither a "thing" nor "quantifiable." Yet, it is very real. The early Christian community found these words to be referring to the Holy Spirit which the apostles and other disciples received for carrying out their ministry. Gradually the words came to mean that Spirit which we all receive at Baptism (Confirmation emphasizes this but is really the final step of the Baptismal process.) This means that we don't have to "yearn" for that beautiful reality described above. It is ours by virtue of Baptism but we can allow it to become "dormant" in our lives. I pray every day that this spirit of Wisdom will be awake in me as I try to make decisions in all aspects of life from health matters to car maintenance to preparing retreat presentations to preparing this daily preaching! Parents will want to pray for it in knowing how to love each other and their children! Business folks and professionals will want to pray for it in the many decisions they make in their respective fields. Teachers and mentors and spiritual directors must call on Wisdom every day! The question is not how we can "get" this Wisdom. In fact, it is not Wisdom that is "dormant" in us. It is we who have fallen asleep in regard to Wisdom! It is there if we will just wake up! AMEN