25th Sunday in Ordinary Time 2024 - The guiding light of wisdom

 

Wisdom runs throughout our Scripture readings today like a golden thread. That shouldn’t surprise us—God’s wisdom can be discovered in every passage of Scripture. It’s a wisdom that helps us order our lives.

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.

1st Week of OT 2021 - Tuesday - More than words, words, words

From now until the beginning of Lent on Feb 17, our weekday Gospel readings will be taken from the Gospel of Mark.  

Without skipping any passages we’ll make our way from chapter 1 through chapter 8—beginning with his baptism, which we heard Sunday, up until his feeding of the five thousand, and we’ll then take a break from this chronological reading of Mark’s Gospel until after the easter season, after Pentecost.

But during these short weeks of Ordinary Time before Lent, we will read of healings and exorcisms, parables and teachings and miracles. I love Mark’s Gospel and once memorized and could recite the order of the stories of Mark. 

Mark, being the shortest Gospel, it can be read in a single sitting without too much effort. And often was read in its entirety to the early Church. So if you’ve never read Mark from beginning to end these are good days for such a practice.

St. Mark’s original audience was the ancient Romans who were very much like modern Americans—very practical, pragmatic people who emphasized deeds more than words, action more than theory.  “Words, words, words” complained Polonius to Hamlet who just complained all the time without doing anything. We and the Romans would agree. For the Romans liked to get things done! In fact they conquered the world!

And in mark’s Gospel, Jesus is a man of action—a man who takes on the powers of evil; takes up his cross willingly; he cures diseases and even tames the powers of nature, “all things are subject to Him” as Hebrews stated in our first reading.

In today’s Gospel we see him commanding this demon to be silent. And Shakespeare would have loved the irony here. The Eternal Word made flesh, who is a man of action, exercises his power over evil through a word, and that word is to tell this noisy demon to be silent, and the demon, overwhelmed by the Word’s power, is muzzled, and through the Word, a possessed soul, silenced by the demon, is made free to speak and act again and proclaim God’s praises. 

During Ordinary Time, we seek to imitate the Lord in the ordinary circumstances of our life, and we see from the start of the Gospel, that the Lord is a man of action, who doesn’t just complain about the fallen state of the world, but goes and does battle with evil to bring about the liberation of those captive, oppressed, and confused by evil. 

In order to be effective instruments of the Lord, we must be united with Him in spirit and truth, so we do well to study his word, meditate upon his word, contemplate his word, receive his word in the sacraments, that we may be filled with his goodness, holiness, love, and power for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That the preaching and teachings of the Pope, Bishops, and clergy may be a source of strength and guidance for the Holy Church.

That those in civic authority may submit their minds and hearts to the rule of Christ, the Prince of Peace and Hope of the nations.

For the liberation of those bound by evil, those committed to sin an error, those oppressed or possessed by evil spirits, and for the conversion of the hardest hearts.

For all the needs of the sick and the suffering, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, the underemployed and unemployed, immigrants and refugees, victims of natural disaster, war, and terrorism, for all those who grieve the loss of a loved one, and those who will die today, for their comfort, and the consolation of their families.

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

O God, our refuge and our strength, hear the prayers of your Church, for you yourself are the source of all devotion, and grant, we pray, that what we ask in faith we may truly obtain. Through Christ our Lord.

1st Week of Lent 2020 - Tuesday - Words, words, words

In Scene II, Act II of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, the Prince of Denmark sits in a library, reading a book, when Polonius, the King’s chief counselor asks the melancholy prince, “What do you read, my lord?” And Hamlet replies, “words, words, words.” Of course, Polonius wants to know what Hamlet is reading about, the meaning of the words in the book. Hamlet’s deliberate misinterpretation of Polonius question suggests that the words he is reading are meaningless to him. The words of the page could not penetrate the mind and heart of the melancholy prince.

In our first reading, Isaiah the prophet speaks of how the word of God waters the human soul and does not return to heaven void as did the words of Hamlet’s page.

So, too, the words of prayer the Lord teaches in the Gospel today, are not empty, like the words of the pagans, whose prayers amount to a bunch babbling.

The Word of God brings transformation. It is meant to bear fruit. We are always to approach the scriptures with a hearts and minds ready to be changed by them. We are to be constantly ready to learn from them and be directed by them, to put them into action.

Hamlet could not be moved by words because they were the words of man and symbolic of his own inabilities, his frustrations at accomplishing his plans. But the Word of God brings life to souls and impels us into cooperating with God’s plans.

The Lord called the words of the pagans a bunch of babbling, because they did not wish to be changed by their prayers, they didn’t wish to engage in the work of God, they just wanted to be seen, through their empty words they wished to gain attention for themselves. Rather, the first petition of the prayer Jesus teaches is “Father, Thy Will be Done”.

Hamlet’s melancholy is shared by all who, seeking only after their own wills, their own false gods, end up exhausted and unfilled.

During Lent, we do well to spend much time reflecting upon the word of God, especially our Lenten Mass Readings and the passion narratives, and allow them to till the soil of our hearts and to help us surrender, like Christ, the Father’s will in all things, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That the season of Lent may bring the most hardened hearts to repentance and bring to all people purification of sin and selfishness.

For those preparing for baptism and the Easter sacraments, that they may continue to conform themselves to Christ through fervent prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.

That we may generously respond to all those in need: the sick, the suffering, the homeless, the imprisoned, and victims of violence. And for all victims of the coronavirus and their families.

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

Grant, we pray, O Lord, that your people may turn to you with all their heart, so that whatever they dare to ask in fitting prayer they may receive by your mercy. Through Christ our Lord.