Sometimes the daily Mass readings are nuggets of wisdom that can guide us in direct and practical ways. The reading from Colossians and the Gospel of Luke are perfect examples today. Enjoy and savor them!
The Ten Commandments have been a source of profound insight for thousands of years, guiding both spiritual and cultural precepts for human hearts. May we put this teaching into practice today, directing our lives in service for the Lord.
When we are tempted to overthink a situation and make things more complicated than necessary, may the example of Naaman and the people Nazareth wake us up to turn to the Lord for guidance and insight.
Both the first reading and the Gospel reveal how Wisdom is a precious treasure that can help us prudently prepare to face the uncertainty of life. May we pray for the gift of this virtue, especially when we find ourselves dealing with change and difficulty.
With just a couple of weeks left of Ordinary Time, we hear about the wisdom of God repeatedly in the readings today.
1st Reading – “Resplendent and unfading is wisdom.”
Psalm – “My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.”
2nd Reading – We have hope that Christ will raise us up from death to life.
Gospel – Jesus offers a contrast between wisdom and foolishness.
When we talk about the concept of wisdom we often refer to the ability to see the big picture. Wisdom gives us the ability to “see around corners” and anticipate circumstances; this particular virtue allows us to step back and take in events, seeing how they relate and connect with other situations.
And God offers it to us! This is a precious spiritual gift, one that comes through the power of the Holy Spirit, and it helps us live each day in a vibrant manner. Without wisdom we can speak and act in ways that might have disastrous results, especially if we would have considered the ramifications and consequences that followed if we’d have only thought about other factors.
In order to apply wisdom to our lives we begin first with a strong foundation of prayer. The closer we draw to Jesus, the closer we connect with the source of all wisdom and understanding. As we thirst for the Lord we are nourished and sustained with God’s grace as we see with the eyes of Christ.
Wisdom then requires our action. Once we have insight we can then proceed to act in a manner that is guided by the nuances and sensitivities that confront us. We can act decisively and deliberately, aware of the situation and able to adjust and respond as needed.
This precious spiritual gift is for the asking…so ask! May we all call upon the Lord for this grace as we live our faith each day.
In the Letter to the Ephesians we who have been chosen by God and believe in Christ are sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit. May we call upon the Spirit every day for strength and wisdom!
1st Reading – Solomon asks God for wisdom and understanding
Psalm – “Lord, I love your commands.”
2nd Reading – All things, good and bad, work for good for those who love God
Gospel – When you find the pearl of great price, you sell everything you have to acquire it
If the Lord would grant you one request, what would you ask for? We can learn a lot about ourselves by what we seek, and sometimes we discover when we get it that it might not have truly been the best thing. Yet, it is the desire in our hearts, however, that tells us if we are on the right track.
Solomon asked to be wise and understanding…a wonderful response!
Jesus uses the parable of the pearl to remind us that there are some things in life so precious that other wishes and requests pale in comparison. With this in mind, here are a couple of thoughts to consider:
What is it you often wish for?
Are there any blessings in your life that you might be taking for granted?
Do you have your priorities organized? Are the most important things getting your time, effort and attention?
God will take the sum of our lives – good and bad – and bless it with grace. As we seek the Lord today, may we bring our hearts and offer ourselves….so that our response will draw us closer to Jesus Christ and one another.
Solomon’s prayer request to God shows shows his love for the Lord and his desire to serve the people. May we take his example to heart in our daily prayer, asking the Lord for what we need to be better disciples today.
Three Great Things 