Reflection - Wisdom

http://usccb.org/bible/readings/111119.cfm
Wisdom 1:1-7
Luke 17:1-6

Most Americans know her as Hagia Sophia [haˈGia soˈfia] as they struggle for new ways to mis-pronounce her name. She is one of the oldest and largest of Christian buildings. She was built in the 6th century and for almost a thousand years thereafter was the seat of the patriarch of Constantinople. Her official name is (in the English translation of the Greek) “Shrine of the Holy Wisdom of God.” Most often she is referred to by some mis-pronunciation of her Greek common name: Hagia Sophia [haˈGia soˈfia], or Holy Wisdom.

Wisdom is one of those qualities that is difficult to define. It embraces knowledge, experience, and a deep understanding of the complexities of life. Existence, values, compassion, mind and reason all come into play with wisdom. Neither knowledge alone nor experience alone, nor even the two together are sufficient to confer wisdom.

The very word ‘philosophy’ means ‘lover of wisdom’ so it is fitting that this holy shrine was built so close to the origins of Western Philosophy.

Alexander the Great, who came from nearby Macedonia, was enthusiastic for all aspects of Greek culture; and, in his conquests throughout the Middle East, brought Greek culture with him. So it was the military might of Alexander that provided the gateway by which the theology of Judaism could transform the philosophy of the Greeks. The result for us is, in many ways, seen in the Wisdom literature of the Old Testament. The reading from the book of Wisdom is a small portion of that.

The human wisdom which was so esteemed by the Greeks was understood by the Jews to be of divine rather than human origin. Consequently, it should come as no surprise that “perverse counsels separate man from God;” for any counsel that is counter to the truth of reality or which advises against the good and the holy is necessarily an affront to God in whom all truth and goodness and holiness abide.

Wisdom, in its essence, can only exist within the realm of truth. And in a world that is comfortable with “your truth” and “my truth” there is no room for wisdom.

Jesus’ instruction to his disciples offers the same message.

"Things that cause sin will inevitably occur,
but woe to the one through whom they occur.
It would be better for him if a millstone were put around his neck
and he be thrown into the sea
than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin.”

Perverse counsel, plotting sin, deceit, blasphemy — these are not the sins iterated by the commandments — rather they are words and actions which isolate one from God Himself. Whether intentional or unintentional, whether subtle or direct, these are the sins that seek to lead others away from seeing God’s very existence.

In the world of mankind truth is a cornerstone of wisdom. Those who would make truth subject to the whims of men are perverse, deceitful and blasphemous. They undermine the basis for man to be considered a rational being. And the consequence: if we cannot know truth, we cannot know God. The millstone isn’t big enough to deal appropriately with such a lie.

SUMMARY

Most Americans know her as Hagia Sophia [haˈGia soˈfia] as they struggle for new ways to mis-pronounce her name. She is one of the oldest and largest of Christian buildings. She was built in the 6th century and for almost a thousand years thereafter was the seat of the patriarch of Constantinople. Her official name is (in the English translation of the Greek) “Shrine of the Holy Wisdom of God.” Most often she is referred to by some mis-pronunciation of her Greek common name: Hagia Sophia [haˈGia soˈfia], or Holy Wisdom.