I would like to start this short reflection with today’s question presented by the Apostle James:
Who among you is wise and understanding?
The answer follows on the next line: she or he is wise who
a) shows works by a good life
b) is humble because humility comes from wisdom:
Let him show his works by a good life in the humility that comes from wisdom.
Against Wisdom
There are temptations and sins against wisdom: jealousy and ambition are contrary to wisdom since they are false:
But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth.
Clearly enough, there is the false wisdom:
Wisdom of this kind does not come down from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
True Wisdom
And there is a true wisdom:
the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without inconstancy or insincerity.
This is the wisdom of which speaks in today’s Psalm:
a) the wisdom of God’s law gives joy to the heart…
b) is perfect,
c) and refreshes the soul,
d) the decree of the Lord is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple.
Therefore, let the Lord be our wisdom:
Let the words of my mouth and the thought of my heart find favor before you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
There is nothing more contrary to God’s wisdom in our hearts than sin. Aquinas says that sin involves a loss of the light of reason and, consequently, of God’s wisdom in us, since such a light is a participation of divine wisdom: ‘And because they had not wisdom, they perished in their folly’ (Bar. 3:28).
May the Lord be our wisdom: having been created in his image and likeness we participate in his wisdom. May his truth be our light. May his wisdom produce in us good fruits so that we can be full of mercy, without inconstancy or insincerity.
God bless you all,
Fr. Marcelo
[Readings: Jas 3:13-18; Mk 9:14-29]
