Once
again we are asked to listen to Wisdom.
But what is Wisdom and how do we hear it? Does Wisdom have the same message for
everyone?
My
answer for that last question would probably be yes and no. Today I am going to share some of my thoughts
about Wisdom. I am not going to try to
define Wisdom or to tell you what Wisdom says to me.
Our
first question. When I believe that I
have discovered or understood some bit of God’s Wisdom is it helpful to share
it with others? Yes. I find that talking to others about important
things helps me to understand them better: to explore what they mean and to
determine if they are truly important or just seemed so at the time. It helps me to refine my understanding: to
keep the wheat and discard the chaff.
I
don’t believe that I have the right to keep God’s Wisdom to myself. It isn’t mine to keep. I am also sure that I am not perfect in
identifying God’s Wisdom. No one
is. The only way I can be sure that I
have found some of it is to keep looking, to keep paying attention.
Second
question. Is it helpful to receive
Wisdom that someone else has discovered. … Absolutely! It does not always have the same meaning to
me. In fact it seldom does. But the Wisdom found by others usually leads
me to my own discoveries. Even if I
absolutely do not agree with what someone else sees as Wisdom from God I can
learn about myself from that contrast. I
also have to remember that I may be the one who is wrong or that neither one of
us is wrong. There is a wonderful book
called “You don’t have to be wrong for me to be right” by the orthodox Jewish
Rabbi, Brad Hirschfield which explores the idea that everyone is a child of
God. We may be called by God in
different ways, but we are all called by God.
Trying to understand what someone else believes and why they believe it
can only help me understand better what I believe and why.
Third
question. How do I look for Wisdom? Mostly I look for Wisdom by paying close
attention to the world around me. I try
to live into the idea that every moment the world may reveal some aspect of God
to me. I often don’t succeed at this but
I try. This is part of what is called
living a sacramental life. Conducting
ones life with the understanding that everything that we have is a gift from
God and everything we do is a gift to God.
Every moment is an opportunity to draw closer to God. The sacraments of the church are focussed
examples of this.
Each
of the sacraments tells us something about God’s call to us, about how we are
reflections of God. For example: in
baptism, we find that we are called to be part of a community. We are expected to care for each other. To teach each other. To support each other. To love each other. To come together and do all of this as a
group exploring our faith together. This
insight into baptism is by no means complete.
We could do an extensive workshop on baptism, or on any sacrament for
that matter, and still only touch on what it means. This is part of the glory of God’s gift to
the church.
Now
what does all of this have to do with what we read together this morning? James says “Draw near to God and He will draw
near to you.” I think this is a perfect
quote to summarise sacramental living.
It tells us just how we can look for Wisdom. God is always looking for ways to connect
with us. Unfortunately the society we
live in teaches us to look for ways to disconnect. I feel absolutely blessed by being here,
North of Smokey, where this much less true that back in Vancouver. Still, it happens. I have to remind myself that it is only a
short walk to get to the co-op and that I don’t need to drive. By walking I remain part of the world I am
moving through. By getting into the car
I isolate myself from it. At the same
time, the distance between Neil’s Harbour and Ingonish gives us the idea that we
are separate from each other. That same
car eliminates the reality of this separation but we still act as if it was a
two hour walk.
Every
time we draw near to another person we draw near to God. Every time we draw near to someone that we
don’t know very well we learn something new about God, after all we are, each
and every one of us, made in God’s image.
This
brings us back to Wisdom. How do we
recognize Wisdom in each other and in the world around us?
Wisdom
is more precious that jewels.
We
trust Wisdom in our heart.Wisdom does only good, never harm.
Wisdom works with willing hands.
Wisdom provides for us.
Wisdom never sleeps.
Wisdom makes the best use of what is available.
Wisdom is always worthwhile.
Wisdom keeps us clothed and safe.
Wisdom provides for those in need.
Wisdom perseveres in difficult times.
Wisdom can be recognized in those who embrace her.
Wisdom can be passed on to others.
Wisdom preserves the dignity of all.
Wisdom is never confusing.
Wisdom is constantly active.
Following Wisdom leads to rejoicing.
There are many good teachings but the teaching of Wisdom is better than all others.
Wisdom is not always the easiest or most appealing choice.
Wisdom is truly the most divine spouse that any of us could possibly have. As we draw nearer to God, we find that God has already drawn near to us.
Thanks
be to God!
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