WISDOM IS AN ATTRIBUTE OF GOD
Wisdom is an attribute of God, which means
we have to go to God to get it. Once gained, it's contagious.
Today's reading from the Letter of Saint
James states, "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God Who gives to
all generously and ungrudgingly, and he will be given it" (Jas 1:5). Let's
reflect on these words for a moment. Wisdom is an attribute of God, which means
we have to go to God to get it. Once gained, it's contagious. Saint Louis de
Montfort put it like this, "Wisdom gives not only light to know the truth
but also a remarkable power to impart it to others." May we seek wisdom
for the good of all!
The moral discourse we heard from James'
Letter is concrete and practical in nature. It's about social justice and the
many issues we face in this world. His Letter is addressed to all Christians,
not just to the people of his age. And, it begins by affirming the positive
value of trials and hardships. These difficult experiences serve to build our
Christian character. They test the quality of our faith and challenge us to
strengthen it through perseverance, which results in a heightened maturity and growth
in our spiritual lives - the goal of Christian living. For St. James, the key
to all this is wisdom, which is a gift from God that we receive through prayer.
Saint James echoes the teaching of Jesus
in the Gospel by asserting the impending reversal of the poor and the rich; a
teaching very encouraging to those who have lived most of their lives in
poverty. Here's a good question to ask ourselves today, "Is faith worth
the risk?" The whole life and ministry of Jesus Christ answers this
question with a resounding "Yes"! He teaches us that faith is about
eternal life, not about security in this world. It comes without any signs from
heaven!
In the Gospel acclamation we proclaim,
"'I am the Way and the Truth and the Life,' says the Lord. 'No one comes
to the Father except through Me'" (Jn 14:6).
Believing in these words brings much
wisdom!