GREAT VALUE THAT LEADS TO UNDERSTANDING
Even
though He is not old, He demonstrates time and again those characteristics of
understanding and good choices that manifest a depth of wisdom.
Wisdom is not the same thing
as knowledge. Wisdom requires collective experience, which has been subjected
to careful prayer and to ponder on. The first reading of Sirach praises wisdom
as the great value that leads to understanding. Ultimately, a good life is one
that rests on wisdom, Quite often the Gospels portray Jesus as a wise Person.
Even though He is not old, He demonstrates time and again those characteristics
of understanding and good choices that manifest a depth of wisdom.
Today's Gospel of Mark is one
example. Jesus' opponents are attempting to test Him and turn things upside
down by confronting Him with clever word games that would force Him to say what
He, in fact, would not want to say. Jesus immediately sees through it all and
very wisely does not fall for it. He makes the keen decision to not even play
the game. Wisely, Jesus turns the table on the opponents, forcing them to stop
the nonsense.
Jesus always told the
disciples that it is "the truth that will make you free" (Jn 8:32),
and that there is a joy and freedom of living according to God's word and
truth. In the Psalm, it would be helpful to pray and reflect on its words:
"The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart" (Ps 19:9ab). We
ought to listen prayerfully to the message and take it to heart. Jesus teaches
us to pray that God's will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Our heavenly
Father guides us to choose our direction and not to stray from the path that
brings life and goodness.
I would like to end with this
brief reflection written by Corrine De Winter:
The Wisdom to Know
There
have been times
when
I've allowed insignificant things
to
overwhelm my life
and
get the better of me.
There
have been times
when
I have been unforgiving
of
myself and others.
When
I caused hurt
where
I could have healed,
when
I had spoken
though
silence was best.
Allow
me to learn from these things
and
let them go.
Allow
me the wisdom to know
that
at the time
I did my best.