Word to the Wise
Tuesday, February 26, 2019 - Tuesday in the 7th Week in Ordinary Time
[Sir 2:1-11 and Mark 9:30-37]My son, when you come to serve the Lord, stand in justice and fear, prepare yourself for trials. Be sincere of heart and steadfast, incline you ear and receive the word of understanding, undisturbed in time of adversity. Wait on God, with patience, cling to him, forsake him not; thus will you be wise in all your ways. [Sirach]
The first scriptures for daily Eucharist this week are taken from the Book of Sirach, (a/k/a Ecclesiasticus). This book, along with the Books of Wisdom and Proverbs,Psalms, Ecclesiastes, Job, etc. are a treasure of experience and reflection that I find both challenging and comforting.
I have told this story before, but please bear with me! I was once invited to speak to a group of third-graders about "wisdom." I decided to see what they would call it. So, I asked the group: "Who can tell me what wisdom is?" A forest of hands went up! I called on one kid in the front row. He piped up: "Knowledge gained from experience!" That completely deflated my whole talk! But wisdom is where you find it!
Time and again I have faced difficult pastoral and personal situations and wondered what the way forward could be. Time and again, the Holy Spirit has shown a light on the path and enabled me to help others or myself. The Book of Sirach echoes wisdom not just from Jewish tradition but also from surrounding cultures that had their own lists of sayings, maxims, etc. A few years ago, a former minister, Robert Fulghum, published a wonderful book, ALL I REALLY NEED TO KNOW I LEARNED IN KINDERGARTEN. This book of simple wisdom was a best seller. It was like water in the desert to so many who were overwhelmed with life's challenges. I think a good reading of Sirach and the wisdom literature of the Bible will offer us a similar drink if only we take time to sip it and ponder it. AMEN