"Simple Wisdom": A Reflection on the First Reading for August 19th, 2018: Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Proverbs 9:1-6 
Wisdom’s Feast

1 Wisdom has built her house,
    she has hewn her seven pillars.
2 She has slaughtered her animals, she has mixed her wine,
    she has also set her table.
3 She has sent out her servant-girls, she calls
    from the highest places in the town,
4 “You that are simple, turn in here!”
    To those without sense she says,
5 “Come, eat of my bread
    and drink of the wine I have mixed.
6 Lay aside immaturity,[a] and live,
    and walk in the way of insight.”

I love the book of Proverbs. The word "wisdom" is mentioned 222 times in the Hebrew Bible. There are 50 verses! Here are just a few:

Happy are those who find wisdom, and those who get understanding. (Proverbs 3:13) 

How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver. (Proverbs 16:16)

He came to his hometown and began to teach the people in their synagogue, so that they were astounded and said, “Where did this man get this wisdom and these deeds of power?" (Matthew 13:54)

Leading up to today’s reading, we begin in Proverbs 8 with the Blessings of Wisdom, and in Chapter 9 Wisdom is personified as a woman, or “The Lady of Wisdom”. Verses 13 to 18 are given to the Lady of Folly. It is worthwhile reading all of Chapters 8 and 9. In the footnote to this passage, we are told the word “simpleness” can be substituted for “immaturity”. Now in ye olden days, before we all became politically correct, you could substitute the word “simple” for “stupid”. Wisdom calls out, “Hey stupid! Come on over to the Light!”

Simpleness does not necessarily mean “simplicity”. In fact, it seems SPELLCHECK doesn’t even recognize the word “simpleness” because it keeps underlining it in red as I type out this Word Document. But I digress. Simplicity actually comes with maturity, and mature people move on to getting wisdom. In Proverbs 9:10, it says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” The word 'fear' in this context is not the same as frightened or scared, but rather, “to go in awe of--to worship and adore--for fear of not gaining life in abundance”. (via shareaverse.Wordpress.com) Knowledge is really about facts and ideas that we acquire through study, research, investigation, observation, or experience. Wisdom is the ability to discern and judge which aspects of that knowledge are true, right, lasting, and applicable to your life.

It all begins with God. It all ends with God… the Alpha and the Omega. I pray for wisdom. It seems to me that if I am wise, I will have everything I need or want. I have made unwise choices in my life and will likely continue to do so if I neglect my prayer life; the Word of God, or the Mass. “But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matt.6:33)

Be wise. God first. ​

​Judy Savoy

"Be wise. God first. ​​" - Judy Savoy (Ora Reflections)