Sunday 12 November 2023
Today is Sunday 12 November, beginning the 32nd 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?
(Lyrics currently unavailable)
Today’s reading is from the book of Wisdom.
Wisdom 6:12-16
Wisdom is radiant and unfading,
and she is easily discerned by those who love her,
and is found by those who seek her.
She hastens to make herself known to those who desire her.
One who rises early to seek her will have no difficulty,
for she will be found sitting at the gate.
To fix one’s thought on her is perfect understanding,
and one who is vigilant on her account will soon be free from care,
because she goes about seeking those worthy of her,
and she graciously appears to them in their paths,
and meets them in every thought.
The Scriptures speak of the gift of divine wisdom as if it were a person we can get to know, love and desire. We’re told that wisdom is easily discerned, meeting us in every thought. Do you have a sense of having encountered God’s wisdom or of desiring such an encounter?
We’re told that wisdom ‘graciously appears to us in our paths’. Has that been your experience? If not, what do you think has prevented it? Have there been past experiences in your life that have led to a growth in wisdom, even if you didn’t appreciate it at the time?
As you hear the reading again, are there any words or phrases that draw you specially? Notice what stays with you and allow it to take root in your heart and mind.
God’s Wisdom is often taken as a metaphor for the Holy Spirit. Where do you feel the need of the Spirit’s power especially in your life today? Ask God to give you this spirit, trusting in God’s loving generosity.
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.