Word to the Wise
Monday, February 24, 2025 - Monday in the 7th Week in Ordinary Time
[Sir 1:1-10 and Mark 9:14-29]All wisdom comes from the Lord and with him it remains forever, and is before all time...He has poured her forth upon all his works, upon every living thing according to his bounty; he has lavished her upon his friends. [Sirach]
Wisdom is where one finds her. The Holy Spirit can bestow it on all ages. It is recognized in all cultures in the form of "sayings" that are handed down through the centuries. In the Old Testament there is a whole section that is commonly referred to as "the Wisdom literature" and includes Psalms, Job, Wisdom, Proverbs, Sirach,etc. Some of the "wisdom" found in the biblical books is also found in ancient Egyptian and Babylonian lists of proverbs. In the New Testament, especially in the Gospel According to John, Jesus is seen as the personification of Wisdom. After his death and resurrection, the Holy Spirit takes over at Pentecost and becomes the focus of prayer for wisdom. In our traditional prayer, we ask "...grant us in that same spirit to be truly wise..."
Solomon, the Old Testament personification of Wisdom, prayed for it and God was pleased to hear that prayer! [Wisdom 9:4-18]. I have been challenged in my many years (almost 54) as a priest by a diverse set of ministries. In every one of them I have tried to pray for the wisdom needed to do the job and the prudence to use that wisdom in an effective way. The Holy Spirit has to do the rest. We can help with an open mind and an open heart. AMEN