Wisdom 1:1-15
Wisdom to me is a great deal like common sense. It is not something that can really be taught. It's just something that you have, it really can't be taught. My father once told me that the reason we have traffic laws and signs is because not everyone has common sense. Speeding, stopping at intersections and slowing down before heading into a sharp curve are pretty good examples. Some people need to be told because they just don't have the sense to do so otherwise. I still recall a scene from years ago involving a trip to an area in the Midwest that rarely saw snow. It had in fact snowed and I was driving slowly on the local section of interstate. I came across a man in a big SUV who had slid off the road and was outside (in the snow) assessing the situation in his flip flops and t-shirt. I still laugh. Common sense says not to go out driving like a nut and to dress appropriately to the temperature and weather.
If we do not have the common sense to realize it, know that our actions are mirrors of our faith. Our words often betray what is truly in our hearts. Our actions certainly do. At least our actions speak of what is in our hearts. This realization isn't any truer than the examples of the Crusades or the Inquisition. Such evils perpetuated in the guise of faith is clearly not a true faith. At the very least horribly misguided. Most people recoil at the thought of such actions and know they are not of God. We see the same today in the actions of the religious zealots of Islam who in the name of God and holiness slaughter innocents and kill indisciminately. We know that this is not the sign of our loving God. These actions are evil.
Years ago I began my routine of morning prayer and meditation. This was at a very troubling time in my life. It was stressful at work and my soul stirred in anguish knowing something was wrong although I was loathe to figure out what it was. I thought it was work and my busy life. This prayer routine worked. It worked for about 2 hours each morning at which point I'd find myself barking at someone at my office door "What do you want!". Clearly, my soul, my heart was not where it needed to be and my actions betrayed that. Everyone knew I was unhappy. Some may have suspected what the problem was but no one said anyhting and I certainly was not up to figuring it out nor would have I been able to admit it to myself at that point in time anyway. I was conflicted, unhappy with not being the person God made me to be and my actions showed it. How freeing it was after much prayer and therapy to say to myself - I am a gay man.
Our actions betray our true hearts. This is why actions speak louder than words and St Francis said to preach the Gospel but only use words if necessary.
It is imperative that our actions are based in the faith and love of Christ. Even seemingly good actions, when based in self enrichment and not focused on love and others are apparent to all who have eyes and see. Base our words, our actions and our hearts in the love of God and the hope of eternal salvation.
Wisdom to me is a great deal like common sense. It is not something that can really be taught. It's just something that you have, it really can't be taught. My father once told me that the reason we have traffic laws and signs is because not everyone has common sense. Speeding, stopping at intersections and slowing down before heading into a sharp curve are pretty good examples. Some people need to be told because they just don't have the sense to do so otherwise. I still recall a scene from years ago involving a trip to an area in the Midwest that rarely saw snow. It had in fact snowed and I was driving slowly on the local section of interstate. I came across a man in a big SUV who had slid off the road and was outside (in the snow) assessing the situation in his flip flops and t-shirt. I still laugh. Common sense says not to go out driving like a nut and to dress appropriately to the temperature and weather.
If we do not have the common sense to realize it, know that our actions are mirrors of our faith. Our words often betray what is truly in our hearts. Our actions certainly do. At least our actions speak of what is in our hearts. This realization isn't any truer than the examples of the Crusades or the Inquisition. Such evils perpetuated in the guise of faith is clearly not a true faith. At the very least horribly misguided. Most people recoil at the thought of such actions and know they are not of God. We see the same today in the actions of the religious zealots of Islam who in the name of God and holiness slaughter innocents and kill indisciminately. We know that this is not the sign of our loving God. These actions are evil.
Years ago I began my routine of morning prayer and meditation. This was at a very troubling time in my life. It was stressful at work and my soul stirred in anguish knowing something was wrong although I was loathe to figure out what it was. I thought it was work and my busy life. This prayer routine worked. It worked for about 2 hours each morning at which point I'd find myself barking at someone at my office door "What do you want!". Clearly, my soul, my heart was not where it needed to be and my actions betrayed that. Everyone knew I was unhappy. Some may have suspected what the problem was but no one said anyhting and I certainly was not up to figuring it out nor would have I been able to admit it to myself at that point in time anyway. I was conflicted, unhappy with not being the person God made me to be and my actions showed it. How freeing it was after much prayer and therapy to say to myself - I am a gay man.
Our actions betray our true hearts. This is why actions speak louder than words and St Francis said to preach the Gospel but only use words if necessary.
It is imperative that our actions are based in the faith and love of Christ. Even seemingly good actions, when based in self enrichment and not focused on love and others are apparent to all who have eyes and see. Base our words, our actions and our hearts in the love of God and the hope of eternal salvation.
Love righteousness, you rulers of the earth,
think of the Lord in goodness
and seek him with sincerity of heart;
because he is found by those who do not put him to the test,
and manifests himself to those who do not distrust him.
For perverse thoughts separate people from God,
and when his power is tested, it exposes the foolish;
because wisdom will not enter a deceitful soul,
or dwell in a body enslaved to sin.
For a holy and disciplined spirit will flee from deceit,
and will leave foolish thoughts behind,
and will be ashamed at the approach of unrighteousness.
and seek him with sincerity of heart;
because he is found by those who do not put him to the test,
and manifests himself to those who do not distrust him.
For perverse thoughts separate people from God,
and when his power is tested, it exposes the foolish;
because wisdom will not enter a deceitful soul,
or dwell in a body enslaved to sin.
For a holy and disciplined spirit will flee from deceit,
and will leave foolish thoughts behind,
and will be ashamed at the approach of unrighteousness.
For wisdom is a kindly spirit,
but will not free blasphemers from the guilt of their words;
because God is witness of their inmost feelings,
and a true observer of their hearts, and a hearer of their tongues.
Because the spirit of the Lord has filled the world,
and that which holds all things together knows what is said,
therefore those who utter unrighteous things will not escape notice,
and justice, when it punishes, will not pass them by.
For inquiry will be made into the counsels of the ungodly,
and a report of their words will come to the Lord,
to convict them of their lawless deeds;
because a jealous ear hears all things,
and the sound of grumbling does not go unheard.
Beware then of useless grumbling,
and keep your tongue from slander;
because no secret word is without result,
and a lying mouth destroys the soul.
Do not invite death by the error of your life,
or bring on destruction by the works of your hands;
because God did not make death,
and he does not delight in the death of the living.
For he created all things so that they might exist;
the generative forces of the world are wholesome,
and there is no destructive poison in them,
and the dominion of Hades is not on earth.
For righteousness is immortal.
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