Decisions Take Wisdom

 
Life is full of decisions.  My fourteen-year-old granddaughter and I have many discussions.  My favorite occurs when we discuss our decisions. There are a couple of generations between us.  That means different life experiences.  

I am amazed at her boldness.  She does not just accept authority.  She speaks right up and/or refuses to obey.  She would refuse to obey her teacher, and she would confront her, right in him/her face.  I would obey, then go report the teacher to the principal.

Other decisions, we agree on. However, she things money is the most important thing, now, at this time in her life.  But that's because she doesn't have any.  She sees many things she wants but can't purchase them.  She doesn't even get an allowance.  She wants a job and would even quit school, if she could, to work.  See how the immature brain works!  She doesn't have the wisdom to make a good decision.  Yet!  Come Holy Spirit!       

Wisdom is Spiritual Awareness

 

LECTIO:

1 Cor 2:6-10

Brothers and sisters:
We speak a wisdom to those who are mature,
not a wisdom of this age,
nor of the rulers of this age who are passing away.
Rather, we speak God's wisdom, mysterious, hidden,
which God predetermined before the ages for our glory,
and which none of the rulers of this age knew;
for, if they had known it,
they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
But as it is written:
What eye has not seen, and ear has not heard,
and what has not entered the human heart,
what God has prepared for those who love him,
this God has revealed to us through the Spirit.

For the Spirit scrutinizes everything, even the depths of God.

STUDIUM:

Wisdom isn't a common word.  It's not a difficult vocabulary word, but not a word thrown around haphazardly.  It is used often in the Old Testament.  It is even personified and a whole book is dedicated to it.  St. Paul's relies on his audience knowing the wisdom in Torah and associates it with the work of the Holy Spirit.  Paul relying on traditions contrasts the wisdom coming from God, from that of the Greeks and the philosophical wisdom celebrated by the Gentiles.  For Paul, Jesus is divine Wisdom and it is given to believers through the inpouring of the Holy Spirit.  As such, it is far different than what philosophers, politicians, and others think.

MEDITATIO:

Paul says Wisdom is the work of the Holy Spirit.  Hence, I need discernment.  And Wisdom comes to those who love Jesus.  I love Jesus and should pray to love Him more.  Belief in Jesus=Love Jesus=Wisdom.

ORATIO:

Holy Spirit, pour out Your Love on and in me.  I need to love.  Help me to love others, too, as You love them.

CONTEMPLATIO:

Lord, help me to love You better.

RESOLUTIO:

Spiritual awareness involves loving as Jesus loves.  I need to love my neighbors.

Wisdom is a She

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity

Lectio:
PRV 8:22-31

Thus says the wisdom of God:
"The LORD possessed me, the beginning of his ways,
the forerunner of his prodigies of long ago;
from of old I was poured forth,
at the first, before the earth.
When there were no depths I was brought forth,
when there were no fountains or springs of water;          
before the mountains were settled into place,
before the hills, I was brought forth;
while as yet the earth and fields were not made,
nor the first clods of the world.

"When the Lord established the heavens I was there,
when he marked out the vault over the face of the deep;
when he made firm the skies above,
when he fixed fast the foundations of the earth;
when he set for the sea its limit,
so that the waters should not transgress his command;
then was I beside him as his craftsman,
and I was his delight day by day,
playing before him all the while,
playing on the surface of his earth;
and I found delight in the human race."

Studium:

This is a poem and Wisdom is personified as a woman. 
A woman that is desired, close to Yahweh.  She worked along side Him.  It looks like she is a reflection of Yahweh.  And the Torah has Wisdom present even before the creation.

Meditatio:

The poem seems to delight in creation, and that includes mankind.  "I found delight in the human race."  Our entire world is beautiful.

Oratio:

Lord, Your world is beautiful.  Help me keep it that way.  Man destroys all that he touches.  Show me how to care for Your creation.

Contemplatio:

God is good.  All that He creates is good.  Man is made in the image of God.  God actually breathed life into us.

Resolutio:

I'm taking care of my garden, tomorrow.

What Will You Request of the Lord?

January 28th, is the Feast of St. Thomas Aquinas.  In reading one of Aquinas' conferences I was reminded of a story about him.  It seems that during one meditation, Thomas had a vision of Jesus.  They conversed.  St. Thomas was commended by Jesus for writing so well about Him.  Then Jesus asked Aquinas what reward he wanted for all he had done and written.  The saint answered.

 "Non nisi te, Domine" -- only you, Lord. 

 This story reminded me of when the Lord asked King Solomon the same question.
"Make a request of me, and I will grant it to you."  (2 Chronicles 1: 7)

Solomon answered differently than St. Thomas Aquinas.  But God was pleased with Solomon's request.

Give me, therefore, wisdom and knowledge to lead this people...

Not only did God give Solomon wisdom and knowledge, but also riches and glory.

I compared the two requests.  St. Thomas Aquinas is well known for his wisdom and knowledge.  So he didn't have to ask for that.  He already had it.  And he was smart enough to ask for what is really important--God.

What would I ask for?  I'm not wise, so maybe I should ask what Solomon asked for--wisdom and knowledge.  But when I was given wisdom maybe then I'd see that I should have asked for what Thomas Aquinas asked.  I think I should just copy what the smart person requested.

Only you, Lord.