Come aside to me, you untutored, and take up lodging in the house of instruction;
How long will you deprive yourself of wisdom’s food, how long endure such bitter thirst?
We remember the verses from Proverbs 9: Wisdom has set up her house and prepared her banquet.
I open my mouth and speak of her: gain wisdom for yourselves at no cost.
Take her yoke upon your neck; that your mind may receive her teaching.
Wisdom has sent her handmaidens to invite all who long for her consolation. (Proverbs 9)
For she is close to those who seek her, and the one who is in earnest finds her.
See for yourselves! I have labored only a little, but have found much.
Acquire but a little instruction, and you will win silver and gold through her.
Wisdom asks that we abandon our foolishness; she invites us to choose her path. (Proverbs 9)
May your soul rejoice in God’s mercy; do not be ashamed to give him praise.
Work at your tasks in due season, and in his own time God will give you your reward.
Wisdom knows that patience and openness to God bring us insight, understanding, strength and peace. Let us be faithful to the gift of God’s wisdom. Let us share in the hope of God’s Wisdom. And let us rest in the love and joy of Wisdom’s care.
Baruch 2: The Road to Destruction or Redemption – Part I
Wednesday, November 23, 2022
The apocryphal book of Baruch tells us how to live in exile; and in particular Chapter 2 gives us an important, two-fold message. It reminds us that God alwaysfulfills promises, and it also gives us an outline of how we might make our way back to the covenant we have chosen to abandon.
In Chapters 16 to 18 of Revelation we come upon something that reminds us of the infinite forgiveness and mercy of God. We see once again that in God all things are possible. We have understood the importance of being faithful in small ways to God. We have understood that closed, exclusive groups which stultify possibility and potential, darknesswhich hides and subsumes potential, and silencewhich conceals and enables deceit. . . will never conquer opennesswhich spawns universal communion, light which calls forth authentic life lead in integrity, and praise of Godwhich magnifies truth and joy.
In the end, God’s will of universal openness and light leads to jubilation. The dark world which opposes this truth germinates in envy and ends in destruction. And those who work so hard at building up a closed empire of selfrather than an open kingdom of all, bring about their own destruction at their own hands. We see this countless times. What is the allure of the darkness and deceit that is so tempting? It is the same siren call of Satan to Adam and Eve in Eden, You will be like gods . . .
There is something about the road to perdition that answers our human need to control. There is something about this broad highway leading to the wide gate that brings comfort to those who travel it in their closed special groups. The aching longing to be the bride who is rescued and loved by the steadfast, powerful groom is universal. Yet we insist on filling this yearning with superficial, finite relationships which ironically do not satisfy, and which ultimately destroy. We must respond to the summons of the road and choose redemption rather than perdition.
In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul describes for us Unity and Variety(12:1-14); we are accustomed to looking for those characteristics that define as unique. Today we look at the idea of glory as found in the unity of God’s variety.
Today’s lesson on Glory: The great diversity we find in God’s creation call us to come together in unity through Christ.
It is true that there is great variety in God’s creation and that we are a part of that variety. It is also true that many of us are uncomfortable when approached by a person or an idea that varies from what we expect or want. Today we read this prayerof Jesus’ in which Jesus intercedes for all — and not some – of the people. So what do we do about those who are not on our invitation lists, in our lunch group or book club, on our street, in our political party or in our church pews? How do we begin to include all of creation that we have not regarded as one with all of us? When we hear Jesus today, we understand that he glorifies God by obeying God in making this universal call to all.
This is the call to find unity rather than division is one which we must take up and then extend to others. This is the call that gives glory to the Father. This is the call that we can answer if we reply with the patience, openness, and understanding of Christ.
For this is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ.
Let us spend time today with Jesus’s words as we consider who and what separates us from God’s glory that calls all to be one in Christ. And let us reflect on our concept of eternal life as described by Jesus.
Adapted from a reflection written onAugust 17, 2008.
I lie prostrate in the dust; give me life . . . I disclosed my ways and you answered me . . . you open my docile heart . . .
We find ourselves at our lowest ebb; we see the abyss yawning before us . . . and yet we know that God is with us; we know that God has the power to do the impossible with, and for, and in each of us.
God says: You may see your world as hostile and lacking nourishment yet what I see is a universe of hearts and souls. When you bring me your dreams I dream them with you. When you bring me your pain I suffer with you. When you bring me your joy I celebrate with you.
We must strive to be open and vulnerable to God. We must put aside our reliance on self rather than God. And we must be willing to dream what at first seems impossible.
Today we reflect on the fourth lesson in Psalm 119. It is a reminder that with God all things are possible. Tomorrow, He.
Jesus said to them: If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, “Move from here to there”, and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. (Matthew 17:20)
We know the story of Samsonand Delilah well. He the child whose birth an angel announces to a barren woman and who is reared with devotion. She a Philistinewoman with the power to bewitch and who uses any means to achieve her goal. When we read this familiar story slowly, we will find many twists and turns left out of the abbreviated version we usually hear, and these turnings will give us the opportunity to reflect on the parts of our own lives that might mirror the fortunes and failures of this complicated story.
We see Samson as the clever solver of riddles who visits harlots, a warrior of incredible strength who wishes to marry outside of his tribe. We see him rise to fame and power and we also see him stumble and fall into a mockery of his former self.
We watch Delilah enter into Samson’s confidence to exact his secret for a price, using any trick or deception to gain the tightly held information. In her campaign to learn about his power, Delilah says to Samson, How can you say that you love me when you do not confide in me?She chooses her words well because Samson took her completely into his confidence and told her.
There is a part in each of us that identifies with both Samson and Delilah. There is betrayal, deception, anger and revenge. And there is also a strength and light that persists despite the darkness.
As we approach the Advent season, a time of year when we celebrate the arrival of a new light into a world of darkness, we will want to prepare ourselves for the gift of truth and openness that Christ brings. With the dawning of this great awakening, let us examine our way of living and resolve to put away any darkness that leads us away from God, and let us welcome the light that is Christ.
Let us petition God for greater fidelity to our covenant promise to walk with Christ.
Let us petition God for deeper courage to remain steadfast inChrist.
Let us petition God for Samson-like strength to choose life that unites and enlightensrather than death that divides and scatters.
Let us petition God for the light that we know will overcome all darkness, no matter how deep, no matter how intense.
And let us remain in this light of Christ always, for it is the only power that overcomes the dark.
Adapted from a reflection written on November 25, 2009.
Since you have purified yourselves by obedience to the truth for sincere mutual love, love one another intensely from a [pure] heart.
Peter has led us along The Way with Christ. He has described our gift and call. He has explained the benefits of obedience and the look of true reverence. Today he brings us to the heart of Christ – to mutual love.
God says: I am sometimes saddened by the way you look away when I speak of purity. When I speak to you of this quality it is not cleanliness and spotlessness that I have in my mind. This is a kind of perfection that causes you to think of yourself as flawed and imperfect – and these are words I do not use when I think of you. Rather, the purity I plant in you is one which brings clarity to your world, one which engenders in you a simplicity of mind and purpose. The purity of which I speak does away with complications and convolutions. You should not find yourself twisted as you aspire to purity for this simplicity of spirit is accompanied by ease and straightforwardness, by openness and directness, by honesty and mutual love.
In Luke’s Gospel we hear these well-known words from Jesus: If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.33 If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners in order to receive back the same amount.35But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. (Luke 6:32-36)
Let us take a few moments to listen to the words of Peter for he is one who travelled closely and well with Jesus. He is one who understands the depth and breadth and height of mutual love.
Grace us this week with your presence, O Lord, that we may focus our hopes and our work in you. Amen.
We sometimes wander aimlessly in search of happiness or peace . . . when all the while we do not notice that God has gifted us with a beautiful Eden in which to live.
We sometimes are so intent on completing tasks and chores that we miss the beauty surrounding us . . . when all the while we rush past opportunities to build relationships that will bring us joy.
We sometimes see all windows and doors as closed or obstructed pathways . . . when all the while Christ waits on the other side for us to knock and seek.
Let us spend some time with Psalm 145 today . . . and let us learn to trust in God alone.
The Lord sets captives free . . . let us ask for our own freedom from fear.
The Lord gives sight to the blind . . . let us ask to be healed of our own blindness.
The Lord is good to all . . . let us put away our childish envy and see that God has enough for all.
The Lord is just in all his ways . . . let us strive to act in justice each day.
The Lord is gracious and merciful . . . let us forgive all those who have harmed us.
The Lord is slow to anger and abounding in love . . . let us put aside all anger and anxiety.
The Lord is trustworthy in every word . . . let us treat all whom we meet with openness and honesty.
The Lord is worthy of high praise . . . let us praise God joyfully and without ceasing.
The Lord is near to all those who call upon him in truth . . . Come Lord Jesus, come!
When we trust in God we find new strength to open old doors. When we trust in God we find transformation. When we trust in God we are restored in newness.
He calls from the heavens and the earth from above to witness the judgment of his people. “Gather before me my loyal followers, those who have made a covenant with me and sealed it with sacrifice”. Let the heavens declare the righteous cause; for God himself is judge. Psalm 50:4-6
The mark of a solid associate is one who will sacrifice self in order to seal the covenant promise with God. We are not called to submit to abuse, but rather . . . to witness to that which is indifferent, self-serving, deceitful. We are asked to build bridges to one another, to be open to one another, to form community with one another in trust, fidelity and prudent stewardship of ourselves and our resources. To do this well, it is best to choose associates who are open, worthy of trust, and who witness to the values brought to us by Jesus in his Gospel story. At the same time as we gather those around us who think in like manner, we are also called to be open to the possibility that redemption and salvation nearly always comes through sacrifice, through suffering – particularly when this pain is offered for the conversion of those who have harmed us.
The Prayer Appointed for the Week from THE DIVINE HOURS: PRAYERS FOR SUMMERTIME by Phyllis Tickle is useful as night falls and we turn toward home. Grant me, O Lord, to trust in you with all my heart; for, as you always resist the proud who confide in their own strength, so you never forsake those who make their boast of your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Trusting in God to speak to us in the hushed depths of our hearts empowers us to wait in quiet and in patience until God speaks the words we must hear. We also know that Sin speaks to the sinner in the depths of his heart. There is no fear before God in his eyes. He so flatters himself in his mind that he knows not his guilt. In his mouth are mischief and deceit. All wisdom is gone. He plots the defeat of goodness as he lies on his bed. He has set his foot on evil ways, he clings to what is evil. Your love, Lord, reached to heaven; your truth to the skies. Your justice is like is like God’s mountain, your judgment like the deep. (Psalm 36).
When we find ourselves in deep water, it is best to become a diver . . .
Whether we are the sinner or the victim, God knows the path to our heart. Whether we are betrayer or betrayed, God knows the words that will call us home. When we find ourselves in deep water, it is best to become a diver . . . to explore our own depths, calling on God to reveal his truth to us in a way that we can take it in.
I believe that many of us shrink from our deepest consciousness and that this is evidenced in our addictions to too much television, too much internet, too much food, too much narcissism. So often I hear the phrase, “I just don’t want to go there”. But no matter how much we avoid our own path of conversion, God will seek us out. Jesus ben Sirach instructs us that a deceitful character causes grief, but an experienced man may turn the tables on him.For my part, when confronted with deceit, I find it best to rely on God’s judgment and wisdom . . . he has far more experience than I. On God’s wisdom I wait. For God’s patience I pray. In God’s love I trust. Amen.
Written on September 07, 2008 and posted today as a Favorite.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008 – Proverbs 16 – Plans of the Heart
Today is a day when we traditionally make resolutions or new plans for the future. For that reason we post as a Favorite this reflection written on November 19, 2008 . . .
Man may make plans in his heart, but what the tongue utters is from the Lord. All the ways of man may be pure in his own eyes, but it is the Lord who proves the spirit. Entrust your works to the Lord, and your plans will succeed. The Lord has made everything for his own ends, even the wicked for the evil day . . . In his mind a man plans his course, but the Lord directs his steps.
Humans have a fertile imagination; and weaving a story about ourselves is part of what we do as we form our self-concept. We are often anxious about the future: What am I to do? Where am I to go? What am I to say? How am I to act? We may worry about the past: Why was I so blind? How did I miss what they were saying? And all the time we worry . . . we are missing the blessed present . . . with its opportunity to open our hearts to God’s economy. The writer of Proverbs reminds us that the best plans are those guided by God. Trusting in divine providence is so very difficult . . . yet so essential to serene living.
Better a little with virtue, than a large income with injustice . . . How much better to acquire wisdom than gold! To acquire understanding is more desirable than silver . . . A patient man is better than a warrior, and he who rules his temper, than he who takes a city.
Wisdom is our best instructor. Living a life characterized by prudence and temperance is difficult in a society which values the supersize in everything. It is easy to overdo: too much food, too much drink, too much money spent on heat or air conditioning, too much television, too many movies, too many books, too many people making claims on our time, too much aloneness, too much neglect, too much fuss. Is there such a thing as too much justice? Too much hope? Too much faith or hope? Too much love? Finding moderation and balance is a challenge; but our model is the Christ, who interchanged periods of heavy activity with times of prayer and retreat . . . leaving his sacred heart open to God’s plan.
By kindness and piety guilt is expiated, and by fear [love] of the Lord man avoids evil.
It is never too late to be open to a conversion of the heart. There is always time to enter through the narrow gate, to step onto the narrow road, to sow peace rather than discord. It is never too late to open the door and windows of the mind . . . to allow the master planner to enter the heart . . . to move us through our days . . . to guide us in our thoughts . . . to thaw our stiffened necks . . . to melt our hardened hearts.
Let us vow today to open ourselves . . . to the mind of God . . . that we might receive our plans from his own sacred heart.
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