Ecclesiasticus 4:12-22
Ps.118(119):165,168,171-172,174-175
Mark 9:38-40
Wisdom is a virtue that often receives insufficient attention in comparison to the more commonly discussed triad of “Faith, Hope, and Love.” In today’s reading from Sirach, wisdom is personified as a nurturing mother who “breathes life into her children,” suggesting an intimate relationship we are called to cultivate with this virtue.
In our discourse on wisdom, we typically reference individuals characterized by a perspective shaped through extensive life experiences—marked by trials and triumphs. A wise individual reaches a state where validation from others is no longer necessary. Importantly, the wise possess a discerning clarity regarding ethical distinctions and prioritize relationships over material possessions.
Saint Thomas Aquinas articulated that wisdom constitutes the habit of making prudent choices, defined as “the right reason about things to be done.” This encompasses not merely the cognizance of moral truth but the embodiment of that understanding through action. Embracing this perspective necessitates striving to perceive the world as God does.
One might ponder how to ascertain this divine perspective. Fortunately, it is relatively straightforward—we encounter beauty daily and acknowledge it as such; we recognize goodness in others; and we witness the manifestations of sin, cruelty, and greed, discerning these as affronts to the divine. Our capacity to identify right from wrong is inherent—contingent upon our willingness to observe without averting our gaze. Thus, the challenge lies in translating our understanding of rights into tangible practice.
Fr Joseph Osho
