The Book of Wisdom is a Deuterocanonical work, composed in Alexandria, the centre of intellectual activity during the second century BC. A large Jewish population lived at that time in Alexandria and the influence of Greek scientific and philosophical works posed a challenge to their traditional Jewish values. This wisdom reading is meant to encourage the Jews to remain faithful to the truths God had revealed to them. Whatever other philosophies may say about the origin and destiny of man, God's revelation says that God created man unto His image and likeness and destined him to be immortal. If man lives as God wants him to live, whatever vicissitudes he may experience in life, he will finally attain the fulfillment of life. In other words, he will live with God forever. And a truly wise man proves his wisdom by doing God's will. God has placed each man in this world and expects him to carry out his duties in whatever state of life he chooses to be. In discharging his duties he must be faithful to God. The first reading and the Gospel invite us to reflect on how we carry out our duties in the state of life in which we are.