WISDOM

All people by nature desire to know. It is because we are created in the likeness and image of God and thus, gifted with intelligence. We explore and invent new things. We are able to advance in technology, science, art, poetry, music, philosophy. Wisdom is right understanding and good judgment for the
common good. In the Book of Wisdom, the author reveals that the wisdom of God seeks us. She hastens to make herself known in anticipation to those who desire her (Wisdom 6:13). It is always God’s initiative to reveal Himself to us. It is God’s quest for us and not our quest for Him. We have been found already. Jesus is the intelligence of God and the Eternal Word. He reveals the secret of the Kingdom to us. He is the image par excellence of the invisible God. He is the perfect sign of God’s love. He is the Wisdom of the Father. In the parable of the ten virgins which is exclusive to Matthew, five were foolish and five were wise (Matthew 25:2). The foolish ones did not bring oil with them for their lamps. Instead, the wise virgins brought flasks of oil with their lamps. It is a parable of warning about being prepared, ready, alert and vigilant. Wisdom is to be awake and watchful for the coming of the Lord. It is to follow the Lord in constant, complete and undivided obedience to Him. The oil in the parable represents our personal relationship with the Lord, our faith that should always be kept burning. It is to be centered and grounded in the Lord’s love. Jesus said that a wise man builds his house on the rock and that house stands through the storm. The rock is Jesus, the foundation and cornerstone of our faith. Whereas the foolish man builds his house on the sand and that house is completely ruined when the storm comes. Therefore, wisdom is to be listener and doer of the Word. Faith comes from hearing and wisdom is to order our lives in relation to God. Wisdom is to be in the right place and at the right time when the Lord comes. It is to be faithful stewards of creation. It is to conform ourselves in the Lord: to have the same mind and heart of Jesus. When that happens then we live in harmony with God, with ourselves, with others and with creation.