This weekend, we’ve heard from the book of Wisdom in our first reading. In our second reading, St. James wrote about "the wisdom from above." And in the Gospel, our Lord teaches us about getting our priorities straight, which is the essence of wisdom. Wisdom helps us order our lives by setting our priorities in line with God’s will.
In the season of Advent, we sing that beautiful hymn O Come, O Come Emmanuel. The second verse is all about wisdom:
"O Come, Thou Wisdom from on high,
Who orders all things mightily;
To us the path of knowledge show,
And teach us in its ways to go."
Why are we singing about wisdom in Advent? Because during Advent we are preparing for the coming of Jesus. And Jesus is the fulfillment of the biblical idea of heavenly wisdom. St. Paul writes, "Christ the Power and Wisdom of God. "He came down from heaven to teach us how to live and how to get our priorities straight. He shows us how to order our lives according to what matters most in God's eyes.
In the first reading, the book of Wisdom describes a group of wicked people who refuse to be taught. A just man—wise and learned—tries to instruct them about the law of God and the path of righteousness. This wise teacher is of course a foreshadowing of Jesus centuries later. But how do they respond? They respond the same way Jesus' enemies will respond to him. They call him obnoxious and plot to kill him. Their minds are so disordered, so attached to their errors, that they reject the wisdom that would lead them to goodness.
Imagine that. A wise, holy teacher comes to guide them, and instead of listening, they plot to kill him. God forbid any of us who call ourselves Christians should become so hostile to God’s wisdom that we close our ears and hearts to it.
This passage from the book of Wisdom is one of my favorites because it reminds me to stay open to wisdom, especially when I’m tempted to react emotionally or irrationally. If I feel myself resisting wisdom, I know I need to pause, reflect, and be careful with my words and decisions.
This passage also helps me see the world for what it is. Humans have an unfortunate capacity to find wisdom obnoxious. It’s a spiritual disease, one of the worst. Why? Because authentic wisdom is always good. It always points us to what is right and true.
We also see that there’s a big difference between wisdom and human opinion. Human opinions are often rooted in personal bias and emotion rather than in truth and reflection. The fool, Scripture says, "takes no pleasure in understanding" because he is more interested in voicing his own thoughts than seeking insight. Wisdom, on the other hand, seeks truth and growth, pointing us to what is truly good.
In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, one of the characters offers the famous advice: "To thine own self be true." But that’s actually bad advice—both in the play and in life. The character who says it, Polonius, is a fool and a hypocrite, and he ends up getting killed for his foolishness. Scripture tells us, "Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool" (Proverbs 28:26). Being true to yourself might sound good, but it can lead you down the wrong path if your heart isn’t aligned with God’s wisdom.
Instead, the Bible repeatedly stresses the need to trust in God’s wisdom, not in our own understanding. As Proverbs 3:5 says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding." Polonius’ advice assumes that we are already morally complete. But the truth is, we are in constant need of growth and transformation. Our lives need to be centered not on ourselves, but on God.
In fact, Jesus tells us, what? "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself. He doesn't tell us "be true to yourself and your feelings", no, he says, if you want to go to heaven, you must deny yourself. On this side of eternity, our minds, emotions, and desires aren’t fully in conformity with the wisdom of God. That’s why we need to root ourselves in faith, trust, and the teachings of Christ. We must question our impulses and measure them against the wisdom of God and the teachings of the Church.
In our second reading, St. James reminds us that jealousy, ambition, and other sinful behaviors are disordered. He points out that our conflicts and struggles often come from failing to live by God’s wisdom. When our passions go unchecked, we lose sight of what truly matters.
Finally, in today’s Gospel, the disciples are caught in a foolish argument. They’re debating about which one of them is the greatest. Jesus calls them out for their foolishness and tells them that true greatness isn’t about status or power. Greatness is found in becoming the greatest servant, in being like a child—humble, teachable, and open to learning.
So, how do we grow in wisdom, the kind of wisdom that helps us order our lives and get our priorities straight?
First, seek wisdom in prayer. Wisdom comes from God, and as James says, "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given to him" (James 1:5). Make it a daily habit to ask for wisdom, especially when faced with difficult decisions. If you’re struggling with family drama, bad habits, or life decisions, ask God for the wisdom to navigate those challenges.
Second, immerse yourself in Scripture. The Bible is God’s wisdom revealed to us. Regularly reading and reflecting on Scripture helps align our thoughts and desires with God’s will. Let the Word shape your mind and guide you in discerning truth from error.
Finally, seek wise counsel. Surround yourself with holy Christians who have their priorities straight. Why was shakespeare's Hamlet, so confused and filled with existential dread? He surrounded himself with fools, like Polonius, who told him simply to follow his feelings. Rather, Christians are to associate with fellow Christians who are filled with wisdom. There are members of our parish who possess the gift of discernment. Get to know one another, and help each other stay on the path of wisdom.
Wisdom helps us order our lives according to God’s priorities. It guides us toward what is truly good, and when we seek it through prayer, Scripture, and wise counsel, we grow in our faith and in our ability to live righteous lives. May we seek wisdom daily and trust in God’s guidance.
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