Wisdom is an interesting concept. In our first reading today from Sirach 4 we get a brief primer on Wisdom. (Note the capital letter. The sacred author speaks of Wisdom as a personal pronoun, “her.”) In the Gospel reading from Mark 9, John tells Jesus that the disciples tried to prevent someone from driving out demons in Jesus’ name. Jesus tells him not to stop him. He says, “Whoever is not against us is for us.”
Wisdom is one of those things that can be hard to define. Is it smarts? No. I’m sure we all know some folks who may be plenty smart but lack wisdom. Is it knowledge? No. Is it simply common sense? Not entirely. Wisdom encompasses all of those things and more. Here is the definition from dictionary.com: the quality or state of being wise; knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgment as to action; sagacity,discernment, or insight. These are all fine and good, but I believe they are missing the key component.
Wisdom comes from God. Being wise means being in tune with the ways of God, with the very mind of God. The closer we grow to God, the more wise we become. Conversely, the further we drift from God, the more elusive wisdom becomes. As it says in Sirach 4:19 – “But if he fails her (Wisdom), she will abandon him and deliver him into the hands of despoilers.”
Father, help us turn to you, to seek to draw ever closer to you, that we might attain wisdom. Amen.
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