Thirty-second (32nd ) Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

Scripture Readings: Book of Wisdom 6:12-16; First Thessalonians 4:13-18; Gospel According to Saint Matthew 25:1-13

God’s wisdom is the focus of this Sunday’s Mass readings. Everyone wants to be wise, to possess knowledge, good judgment, common sense and insight. These are traits and qualities we normally associate with the word “wisdom.”

Its acquisition, of course, is not as easy as it may seem. Sometimes people may think that they are wise when in reality they are not. 

The first reading which comes from the Old Testament Book of Wisdom, written about one hundred years before the birth of Christ, expounds the nature of wisdom, its origin and the means to obtaining it in this life. The text for today is intended to inspire in the reader a true love for wisdom.

The  author of the Book of Wisdom speaks of wisdom in feminine terms. The author describes wisdom as a “her”. And she appears   as “resplendent and unfading,” to be found by those who seek her.

And who are they? Those who keep vigil, who watch for wisdom at dawn and who are free from care.

Not everyone can acquire wisdom. And wisdom does not manifest herself to just anyone.  But to those who desire from the heart to possess her. If they do, they will find wisdom.

And so, what is Wisdom?

Wisdom is one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. It is the ability to make decisions and give guidance in accordance with God’s perfect will in situations surrounding our lives. Wisdom is not the quoting of facts but it is a gift that allows a person to understand things from God’s point of view. In other words, Wisdom allows a person to recognize truth. A person with the Gift of Wisdom is able to take this truth and use it to glorify God by choosing Godly solutions to problems. 

The Bible urges us often to seek wisdom above all things (e.g., Proverbs 4:7). Proverbs 16: 16 says, “How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver!”

But there are different kinds of wisdom. First Corinthians 3:19 says, “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight.” And verse 20 says, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.” There is obviously a difference between godly wisdom and worldly wisdom (see James 3:13-17).

Godly Wisdom vs worldly wisdom

Godly wisdom is, of course, from God and honors God. Godly wisdom starts with the fear of God and results in a holy life. Worldly wisdom, on the other hand, is not concerned with honoring God but with pleasing oneself. With worldly wisdom, we may become educated, street-smart, and have “common sense” that enables us to play the world’s game successfully. Godly wisdom enables us to prepare ourselves for eternity. With godly wisdom, we trade earthly values for biblical / spiritual values (1 John 2:15-16). 

We recognize we are citizens of another kingdom, and we make choices that reflect that allegiance (Philippians 1:27; 3:20). Having godly wisdom means we strive to see life from God’s perspective and act accordingly.

The book of Proverbs is part of the Bible known as Wisdom Literature. Proverbs is full of practical instructions for life. Many proverbs contrast the wise with the foolish and warn against repeating foolish actions (e.g., Proverbs 3:35; 14:22; 15:7; 26:1). Everyone makes mistakes, but the wise learn from their mistakes and take steps to avoid repeating them. The foolish may make the same mistake over and over again and never learn their lesson.

Godly wisdom may look very different from worldly wisdom. Jesus highlighted these differences in His Sermon on the Mount (Mathew 5-7). For example, He said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.” Godly wisdom often requires us to do that which is opposite to our natural inclinations.

Godly wisdom goes against the “conventional wisdom” of the day. It is not focused on self-preservation but on furthering the kingdom of God. We can only live in godly wisdom when we are committed to crucifying our flesh and living in the Spirit (see Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 5:16, 25)

How  do we gain godly wisdom?

The primary way we gain godly wisdom is by learning God’s Word (Psalm 119:169). No one is born wise. We only acquire wisdom during our life time. As we grow in age, we also grow in wisdom, though it is not always the case with every person. Some people grow in age but not in wisdom. Someone can be 60 years but reasons like a 16 years teenager. We must acquire wisdom from God if we are to be truly wise. Immersion in God’s Word produces a heart of worship and thanksgiving. That heart of worship becomes fertile soil for seeds of wisdom to grow.

And we need the Holy Spirit if we are to acquire godly wisdom. Since wisdom is a gift freely given by God through the Holy Spirit, we need always to invoke the Holy Spirit to fill us. Once we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we shall become people of the Spirit and wisdom will come to us. We can also develop godly wisdom by carefully selecting those who journey through life with us: 

The book of Proverbs 13: 20 says, “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm”. If you associate with the wise you will acquire wisdom. But if you associate with fools you will become a fool too.

Paul instructed the Corinthians to “imitate me as I imitate Christ” (1 Corinthians 4:16; 11:1). Those who want godly wisdom will choose for their heroes those who exhibit wisdom in their personal lives.

Scripture tells us to ask for godly wisdom. James 1:5 says “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him” 

God wants us to have His wisdom. He is delighted to give it to us when our hearts are ready to receive it. However, James goes on to say, “But he must ask in faith without any doubting. 

For the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways” (verses 6–8).

God knows the position of our hearts. When we are committed to trusting Him and obeying His Word, He pours out His wisdom on us (see Jeremiah 29:13). But if we remain double-minded we may not receive the wisdom we ask for.

Solomon received godly wisdom when he asked the Lord for it (2 Chronicles 1:10-11). He became known for his great wisdom, yet, in his later years, he turned away from following the wisdom he had been given. He disobeyed the Lord and even began to worship idols (1 Kings 11:1-11).

Receiving wisdom did not insure that Solomon would follow the path of wisdom. Sadly, he exchanged his godly wisdom for worldly wisdom, and he suffered for it. The rest of the book of Kings (1 Kings 11) details Solomon’s downfall as the Lord removed His hand of blessing from a man who was once great. When we deviate away from God’s precepts, we lose wisdom. We all need wisdom from God.

Let us now stand and have a brief moment of praying for wisdom.

Open your hands and your heart to the Lord.

Repeat after me saying

Ø O God, you are the source of wisdom.

Ø Give me your wisdom todayØ Send me the spirit of wisdomØ So that I may differentiate good from evil.Ø Touch my body Ø Touch my mindØ Touch my soulØ Change meØ Inspire me with heavenly wisdomØ Make me wise.Ø Come Spirit of wisdom and fill me.Ø In moments of confusion, grant me heavenly wisdom to make decisions according to God’s will.