Finding True Wisdom
by Fr. David M. Knight
Wednesday, September 25, 2024
Twenty-Fifth Week of the Year
Lectionary 450
Prv 21:1-6, 10-13/Lk 8:19-21
Proverbs 30:5-9 does not ask for the fullness of divine life not yet revealed by Jesus. It asks for a human life that removes the obstacles to full relationship with God: neither riches “lest, being full, I deny you”; or poverty, lest “being in want, I steal.” Either one would be to “profane the name of my God.” But there is more.
The writer asks God to “put falsehood and lying far from me.” Unknowingly, we lie in action by living out the lies of our culture, not aware that they are lies. We are brought up in the “falsehood” of distorted attitudes, values, priorities and patterns of behavior that we inherit from society. They are “programmed into us” before we are old enough to know we are being influenced and formed by them. But Proverbs proposes a remedy. It is the word of God.
The writer begins by admitting he has not “learned wisdom, nor have I the knowledge of the Holy One.”
Who has gone up to heaven and come down again? Who has cupped the wind in two hands? Bound up the waters in a cloak? Marked out all the ends of the earth? Give me a name!"
But he says we can find wisdom and the security of a guided life in Scripture: “Every word of God is tested; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.”
The Responsorial Psalm develops this: Your word, O Lord, is a lamp for my feet. A few selected verses:
Happy those... who walk by the teaching of the LORD.... They do no wrong; they walk in God's ways.... The way of loyalty I have chosen.... I study your laws, which I love.... I put my hope in your word.... Through your precepts I gain insight.... The revelation of your words sheds light, gives understanding to the simple... Falsehood I hate and abhor; your teaching I love.... Lovers of your teaching have much peace; for them there is no stumbling block.... May my lips pour forth your praise, because you teach me your laws.... I long for your salvation, LORD; your teaching is my delight.
Does reflection on these verses move us to commit ourselves to living out our identity as Christ’s body on earth? To studying God’s word as disciples? To dedicate ourselves to proclaiming his word as prophets? To surrender ourselves to letting Jesus express his truth in and through us as ministers? To abandon ourselves, as stewards of his kingship, to the work of giving flesh to the words of the Word made flesh in society?
In Luke 9:1-6, Jesus called the twelve and... sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal.
The phrase they used to describe their task was “the ministry of the word.” What greater service can we give the world than to share God’s word?
Initiative: Look again at God’s word. Are you ignoring a treasure?
Reflections brought to you by the Immersed in Christ Ministry
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