Rise and Seek

A Reflection on the First Reading for November 8th, 2020:
Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

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Wisdom
6.12-16

Wisdom is radiant and unfading,
and she is easily discerned by those who love her,
and is found by those who seek her.
She hastens to make herself known to those who desire her.
One who rises early to seek her will have no difficulty,
for she will be found sitting at the gate.

To fix one’s thought on her is perfect understanding,
and one who is vigilant on her account will soon be free from care,
because she goes about seeking those worthy of her,
and she graciously appears to them in their paths,
and meets them in every thought.
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Pause. Pray.

And then read more...

Wisdom is a great gift from God. 


Unlike knowledge, wisdom cannot be easily learned. Wisdom can be defined as, “The soundness of an action or decision with regard to the application of experience, knowledge, and good judgment” (from Oxford Languages). Wisdom provides clarity and peace. Wisdom is given to you by the Lord when you ask for and desire it. The personification of wisdom in this reading lends to the beauty of what wisdom really is. Wisdom is something you discern and seek from God. It is something that is radiant, unfading, free from care, and provides peace. 


Often, when I am confronted with a major decision, I feel anything but wise. It is during these times when there is usually a whirlwind of chaos in my life surrounding the large decision. And, unfortunately, during chaotic times I can be distracted, forgetting to seek comfort in the Lord. In my personal experience, without the Lord there is confusion and disorder. But in the seeking of God, there is the radiant and unfading presence of wisdom. Decisions become clearer and ventures have more confidence behind them. So why don’t I always seek wisdom in my life?


The discernment of wisdom takes perseverance and patience. This reading explains that Wisdom “[seeks] those worthy of her”. Those who seek their answers from the Lord are worthy of such a gift. And, “One who rises early to seek her will have no difficulty, for she will be found sitting at the gate”. It can be really difficult to “rise early” or “show up” for the Lord at times, but the Lord (and His gift of wisdom) is always waiting for you. It takes effort and dedication to consistently seek the Lord and His gifts that He desires to give to you. But this perseverance is always greatly rewarded. 

I pray that I may seek the Lord’s beautiful wisdom in everything, so that I may live my life in the perfect plan that He intended for me. Amen.

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Megan Noye

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