Choose Wisely

Deacon Tom writes

“Choose Wisely"

Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B

Have you ever had the chance to watch a little child try to decide which coin to take when given a choice between a nickel and a dime?  Quite often, the child will choose the nickel because it’s bigger. The poor lad hasn’t learned to distinguish value. The reading from the Book of Wisdom is intended to teach us about what constitutes real value in our lives so that we may know how to choose wisely and not be deceived by the illusions of our physical world. The sacred author writes this beautiful passage that is so rich in meaning. Here it is again –

I prayed, and prudence was given me;

I pleaded and the spirit of Wisdom came to me.

I preferred her to scepter and throne,

And deemed riches nothing in comparison with her,

nor did I liken any priceless gem to her;

Because all gold, in view of her, is a little sand,

and before her, silver is to be accounted mire.

Beyond health and comeliness I loved her,

And I chose to have her rather than the light,

because the splendor of her never yields to sleep.

Yet all good things together came to me in her company,

and countless riches at her hands.

The teacher of Wisdom informs us that we need other virtues to lead us to Wisdom.  Prudence and Perseverance, Patience and intense Prayer are necessities for those seeing Wisdom. That explains why Wisdom is so rare and so rare and elusive, while foolishness is seen all around us, like pollen during ragweed season. Foolishness appeals to the here and now, feeds upon our egos and disillusions, and makes no demands upon our character. Foolishness endures because it is so captivated by the glitter of the physical reality around us and is so easily enticed by the things of this world… the riches, temporary fame and fortune, success and the pleasures that fail to give lasting joy and happiness.  The Wisdom described above is a manifestation of God’s very identity and his essence. It is a part of God’s very being.  God shares His Wisdom, a very part of His nature with those who ask for it, with those who seek lasting riches found only in the things from above. When one possesses this form of Wisdom, they abide in God and God in them. 

If we seek the things from above, we will never be disappointed. God’s Wisdom will guide us on our earthly journey and enlighten us along the way so we, unlike the little child who is deceived by the belief that bigger is better and makes the wrong choice, won’t settle for second best. May we have the Wisdom of God at work in us so that we always and easily choose wisely.

Enjoy the day!

Deacon Tom

Image: eastdailyoffice.wordpress.com