Reflection
What is the wisdom that should be reflected in the lives of a Christian people? Certainly not that of a closed community that guards its ”wisdom” and harbors suspicion and dislike for those who are “other”. Wisdom is not merely how to live, but how to live together. One of the characteristics of Jesus was his inclusivity, the sense of reverence, respect and; acknowledgement that God is the God of all and creation requires that we live in harmony. To follow Jesus is to develop a wisdom that opens us to justice, compassion and understanding.
Prayer
You will show me the path to life,
fullness of joy in your presence,
Psalm 16:11
Action
Reflect on the meaning of wisdom as implied in the Scriptures.
Where do you see it in the life of the Christian community?
Where is it lacking?
Suggested Reading
But the wise shall shine brightly
like the splendor of the firmament,
and those who lead the many to justice
shall be like the stars forever.
Daniel 12: 1-13
Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who embrace her; those who lay hold of her will be blessed.
Proverbs 3:13-18
The wisdom the Holy Spirit grants is the grace of being able to see things through God’s eyes. It is seeing the world, situations, problems, everything, with the eyes of God.
Pope Francis
To be wise, we must seek Jesus, for we will not find wisdom apart from him.
Kim Brenneman
We may think God wants actions of a certain kind, but God wants people of a certain kind.
C.S. Lewis
A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination.
Nelson Mandela
There is a wisdom of the head, and a wisdom of the heart.
Charles Dickens
Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.
Aristotle
The simple things are also the most extraordinary things, and only the wise can see them.
Paulo Coelho
The saddest aspect of life right now is that science gathers knowledge faster than society gathers wisdom.
Isaac Asimov
Angry people are not always wise.
Jane Austen
Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.
Rumi