Word to the Wise
Monday, November 10, 2025 - Monday in the 32th Week in Ordinary Time
[Wis 1:1-7 and Luke 17:1-6]Love justice, you who judge the earth; think of the Lord in goodness, and seek him in integrity of heart; because he is found by those who test him not, and he manifests himself to those who do not disbelieve him.....For Wisdom is a kindly spirit, yet she acquits not the blasphemer of his guilty lips; because God is the witness of his inmost self and the sure observer of his heart and the listener to his tongue. For the Spirit of the Lord fills the world, is all-embracing and knows what man says. [Wisdom]
NOVEMBER 10 ST. LEO THE GREAT, pope and doctor of the Church
The Book of Wisdom is probably the "youngest" book in the Old Testament and dates from about 50 years before the birth of Jesus. It was written originally in Greek by a Jewish author who sought to provide edifying guidance to his community. The type of literature was common in the Middle East in different cultures. The Christian community adopted its insights in reflecting on the role of the Holy Spirit. The last line of the quote often appears in hymns and other resources.
When I once visited a grade school classroom to speak about "wisdom," I asked the class: "Who can tell me what wisdom is?" Lots of hands went up, and I picked one little boy in the front row who piped up with: "KNOWLEDGE GAINED FROM EXPERIENCE!" That took the wind out of my sails! The child not only answered the question but personified the answer!
Over the next few days, the first scripture will be taken from the Book of Wisdom. We can sit at the feet of an ancient teacher and gain wisdom ourselves. In many ways, "wisdom" is a form of "grace" because, the passage today says, the Spirit of Wisdom fills the whole world and is a manifestation of God's presence both in individuals and communities. Stay tuned! AMEN