God’s Wisdom, or Mine?

I am, by both disposition and training, a person who values rational thought, logic, clear headed thinking.  So I have to keep reminding myself of the truth in Sunday’s reading from Paul’s letter to the Corinthians.

Quoting Isaiah 29:14, Paul writes ““I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.”  (Click here for the complete passage.)  This is not a salute to stupidity or thoughtlessness, but rather a pointing to a different kind of wisdom.  The wisdom of God, we are told, is seen in “Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles” (v. 23).

The real wisdom of God is not found in rational propositions or clear arguments.  Rather, the wisdom of God is to be seen in radical, loving sacrifice, as Jesus did on the cross.  Sacrifice and service are the hallmarks of divine wisdom, not tweed jackets, pipes and thoughtful nods.

Of course, this does not mean that only that which is dramatically sacrificial displays the wisdom of God, but it does, I think, mean that wisdom is found not in self but in looking to and thinking of the other.

A corollary to this idea is that Godly wisdom is always rooted in community.  While there are times for quietness (indeed, Jesus sought solitude from time to time and told us to pray behind closed doors), it is always for the purpose of going back out in service.  Jesus’ forty days in the wilderness was to prepare him for three years of public ministry and for the road to the cross.

As you seek the wisdom of God this Lent, ask your self a couple of questions:  How does this Scripture or teaching call me to be more a part of the community (yes, even in a pandemic)?  Where does this wisdom or insight lead me to love and sacrifice?

This column appeared in the March 7, 2021 edition of St. John’s eNews. Click here for the complete issue.

If you are reading this at a different time, you may click here for the current eNews.