RBWords

[1 Corinthians 1:17-25 and Matthew 25:1-13]

     For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.  [1 Corinthians]

    Wisdom is presented to us today in two ways.  The first way is in St. Paul's defense of the message he is preaching: The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. And he ends his defense with the words I quote above.  To the Greek audiences, the message of a crucified savior did indeed appear strange and foolish, but Paul's persistence made the message come alive and appear indeed to be divine wisdom!

     The second form of wisdom appears in the gospel today when Jesus presents the parable of the wise and foolish virgins.  The wisdom of bringing extra oil for one's lamp is perhaps in modern terms presented by saying that bringing extra batteries for the flashlights is a wise thing to do.  How many of us remember to do that?  Long term preparation for the eventual return of Christ is a wise thing to do.  God's wisdom and human wisdom exist side by side in our faith.  There is an old Arab proverb that says, "Trust in Allah but tie up your camel."  Wisdom is often hard-won but lasting.  We have God's Word for it!  AMEN