Wednesday 31 August 2022

Today is Wednesday the 31st August, in the 22nd week of Ordinary Time.


The monks of the Abbey of Keur Moussa sing: ‘God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise. God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong.’

As I enter into prayer now, can I put aside any pride I may have in my own wisdom and my own strength? Can I bring myself before God who loves me and has chosen me, with all my foolishness and all my weakness?

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Today’s reading is from St Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians.

1 Cor 3:18-23

Do not deceive yourselves. If you think that you are wise in this age, you should become fools so that you may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written,
‘He catches the wise in their craftiness’,
and again,
‘The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise,
that they are futile.’

So let no one boast about human leaders. For all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all belong to you, and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.

In today's reading we hear about wisdom and foolishness.


Where do you most notice foolishness in the world, that might be thought to be wisdom?

'The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.'

Consider before God in prayer the following: Where are there areas in my life where I believe I am wise?


Perhaps I permit myself to be affirmed by these.


As you listen to the reading again, notice what is given to the humble, to those who practice holy foolishness.

“You belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.”

Take a moment to open your heart to receive these words.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.