2nd Week of Advent 2021 - Friday - "Wisdom is vindicated by her works"

 Throughout the Gospels, we see many different responses to the Lord and his call to conversion. Some, like the Apostles, drop everything they are doing to follow Jesus—they put their earthly business on hold, even walking away from it entirely, in order to follow Jesus. Some, fall at his feet to be healed by him, some climb trees to see him, some go to extreme lengths to bring others to him, like the men who lower their friend through the roof to get near him.

And then some, we know question him, try to trap him in logical arguments, and try to prove him wrong, to be a fool or liar or a madman. Some, of course, will seek to silence him and conspire against him to put him to death, as they know that his truth is a threat to their worldly power. In the Gospel today, we hear how some called him a drunkard and a glutton, seeking to discredit him.

Jesus lamented the hardness of heart he encountered in his ministry. When people do not want to listen to the truth, they will easily enough find an excuse for not heading it. They often don’t even attempt to be logically consistent in their criticisms. Instead of looking for reasons to believe, they’ll look for any reason not to believe.

“But wisdom is vindicated by her works” the Lord says in the Gospel. The hard-hearted, spoiled, cantankerous, illogical criticism of the unrepentant and faithless is proven wrong by the goodness of Jesus and how that goodness fills the lives of his holy ones.

In the end, there will be those who refuse to see the boundless goodness of the saints: they refuse to see the selfless generosity of mother Theresa, st. francis, the profound wisdom of Thomas Aquinas, st. Augustine, st. francis de sales, the profound courage of st. Thomas more. The wisdom of Christ shines brightly in the lives of his holy ones. 

The season of Advent is an opportunity for us to burn brightly with the wisdom of christ, to show forth acts of goodness and righteousness and courageous and self-less generosity to those who will not be convinced by logical arguments. Concrete acts of mercy have a way of piercing through pride and hard-heartedness. So, Advent stirs up a sort of holiness in us that can be seen by the lost and despairing. We are to become like the lights of the advent wreath, burning quietly, but shining with the light of Christ’s goodness and love for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

 

That the Holy Father, all bishops and priests, religious and laity may shine with the Light of Christ’s love for the lost and despairing.

That world leaders may look upon the Son of God, believe in him, and seek the peace and justice that only he can bring.

For those who have fallen away from the Church, who have become separated from God through error and sin, for those who reject the teachings of Christ, for their conversion and the conversion of all hearts.

That our young people will turn away from the evils of our culture to spread the good news of Christ’s eternal kingdom.

For those experiencing any kind of hardship or sorrow, isolation, addiction, or illness: may they experience the healing graces of Christ. 

For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.

O God, you know that our life in this present age is subject to suffering and need, hear the prayers of those who cry to you and receive the prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our Lord.