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Today's passage from the Book of Wisdom echoes themes from the Greek philosophy of the time. Hence, this Book is a powerful reminder that even human wisdom can to a certain extent be a vehicle for God's Wisdom, that Wisdom which is God's revelation calling us to strive to be even greater than we are. The author has developed a very full picture of wisdom, listing twenty-one characteristics and qualities of wisdom seen almost as a divine person. For us, Jesus is the Word of God made flesh, the climax in Himself of God's revelation. Jesus is the incarnation of Wisdom. It would be a useful prayer experience to list out the twenty-one qualities of Wisdom mentioned and to see where they are visible in the life and teaching of Jesus, in His words and His attitudes. Wisdom possessed a very special spirit, but Jesus as a human being was especially filled with the Holy Spirit, who rested upon Him in His baptism. Wisdom takes precedence over light, but Jesus proclaimed Himself as the light of the world, a light taking precedence over every other light, physical or spiritual. And so on throughout the passage. Lead us Lord Jesus by the light of Your wisdom that we may be filled with the wisdom given by the Holy Spirit. |
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P R A Y I N G W I T H T H E C H U R C H
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That holy and exemplary men and women may be our companions in proclaiming boldly the Gospel of the Kingdom of God.
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"They began to proclaim the word of God boldly" (Acts 4:31). The word "boldly" can also be translated as "audaciously" or with "forthrightness" in announcing the Christian message. The ideal agents of evangelisation should be "holy and exemplary persons". Though God could have spread His Kingdom without human collaboration, He has always sought human partners, who as suitable and free instruments, work for the salvation of humankind. The laity can evangelise chiefly through prayer, the testimony of life and the establishment of a temporal order inspired by the Gospel. Though preaching the Gospel is the competence and principal duty of those who have been ordained, lay people, who have the necessary theological training, can preach. Vatican II stresses the need for priests to be holy preachers. God ordinarily prefers to show his wonders through those men who are more submissive to the impulse and guidance of the Holy Spirit. Because of their intimate union with Christ and their holiness of life, they are able to say with St Paul: "It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me" (Gal. 2:20). Let us therefore pray that all those who devote themselves directly to evangelisation may live a holy life that emphasises the credibility of the Christian message. | |
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