This week’s narrative reading is: Proverbs 8:1-11, 22-36
1 Does not wisdom call, and does
not understanding raise her voice? 2 On the heights, beside the way, at the
crossroads she takes her stand; 3 beside the gates in front of the town, at the
entrance of the portals she cries out: 4 "To you, O people, I call, and my
cry is to all that live. 5 O simple ones, learn prudence; acquire intelligence,
you who lack it. 6 Hear, for I will speak noble things, and from my lips will
come what is right; 7 for my mouth will utter truth; wickedness is an
abomination to my lips. 8 All the words of my mouth are righteous; there is nothing
twisted or crooked in them. 9 They are all straight to one who understands and
right to those who find knowledge. 10 Take my instruction instead of silver,
and knowledge rather than choice gold; 11 for wisdom is better than jewels, and
all that you may desire cannot compare with her.
22 The Lord created me at the
beginning of his work, the first of his acts of long ago. 23 Ages ago I was set
up, at the first, before the beginning of the earth. 24 When there were no
depths I was brought forth, when there were no springs abounding with water. 25
Before the mountains had been shaped, before the hills, I was brought forth— 26
when he had not yet made earth and fields, or the world's first bits of soil.
27 When he established the heavens, I was there, when he drew a circle on the
face of the deep, 28 when he made firm the skies above, when he established the
fountains of the deep, 29 when he assigned to the sea its limit, so that the
waters might not transgress his command, when he marked out the foundations of
the earth, 30 then I was beside him, like a master worker; and I was daily his
delight, rejoicing before him always, 31 rejoicing in his inhabited world and
delighting in the human race. 32 "And now, my children, listen to me:
happy are those who keep my ways. 33 Hear instruction and be wise, and do not
neglect it. 34 Happy is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my gates,
waiting beside my doors. 35 For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor
from the Lord; 36 but those who miss me injure themselves; all who hate me love
death."
Some thoughts on the Scripture
lesson:
We don’t give
too much thought to wisdom these days. The majority of western culture values
what we call “street smarts”- ability to move quickly, decisively, and based on
cultural expectations. That last one is the biggest difference between the
behavior that is valued by the world, so to speak, and the behavior that comes
from wisdom.
Wisdom,
having witnessed God’s shaping of creation, knows what lasts and what does not.
Wisdom, having witnessed God’s grief over creation, knows the value in
relationships, when to speak the truth, and how to live in love, even in times
of disagreement. Wisdom, having witnessed God’s sacrifices for creation, is
willing to imitate Christ in self-giving and hope for the sake of others.
St. Augustine
is often quoted as having prayed, “Lord, give me chastity and continence, but
not yet.” Modern disciples might have the same thought about wisdom. We want
it, but not just yet. Not when it might mean speaking up against injustice,
articulating a less-popular opinion, standing with our enemies for their
safety, or witnessing for Christ in word and deed. All of these things seem
wise and desirable, but not yet.
Woman Wisdom,
though, in Proverbs warns against those who refuse to let her enter. When the
chance to welcome wisdom is missed, it is considered equivalent to loving
death. Joy, lasting happiness, is what comes from welcoming wisdom now,
learning her lessons, and asking God for the courage and strength to live them.
Wisdom might
not always be our favorite houseguest or bring the most fun with her. However,
she brings life and integrity in her luggage. So we must work to invite her in
and welcome her to stay.
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