“In prosperity you cannot always tell a true friend, but in adversity you cannot mistake an enemy.” Sirach 12:8
As we pass through life, we build many relationships. If we lack discernment, we may believe that all those who appear to be our close friends may stick with us through thick and thin. But quite often it happens that those who appear to be our inseparable friends are nowhere to be found in times of adversity - they may avoid us or even go to the extreme of refusing us an easy help. On the other hand, a true friend is one who is born for adversity.Acquiring wisdom, the greatest treasure “Accept my discipline rather than silver, and knowledge of me in preference to finest gold. For Wisdom is more precious than jewels, and nothing else is so worthy of desire.” Proverbs 8:10-11
Wisdom calls out to us and exhorts us to accept her discipline. Living with Wisdom means to obey her laws and to lead a life which is ruled by God's Will. Knowing that Wisdom is the greatest treasure we can ever receive, let us earnestly seek her with all our soul. One day we will understand her true value - all the gold and silver in the world ranks nothing in comparison with her and those who have obtained her are the richest of all men.“You yourselves can bear me out. I said, “I am not the Christ; I am the one who has been sent to go in front of Him.” John 3:28
When we reflect on the life of John the Baptist, we realise that John was someone who was very clear about his mission - he knew exactly who he was and what he was sent to do. From his very childhood, he had given himself to God, and spent the years of his youth and manhood immersed in prayer, and while in prayer received the oracles of God in the desert. John teaches us that we too need prayer and penance to be able to recognise Jesus and stand for the truth, even at the cost of our own lives.“Let your armour be the Lord Jesus Christ, and stop worrying about how your disordered natural inclinations may be fulfilled.” Romans 13:14
All of us can put on one of two coverings: either the covering of sinful passions, or the covering of the Lord Jesus Christ. The covering of sinful passions eat away Divine Grace from within our souls, and very soon the infection emits a foul stench. On the other hand, the covering of the Lord Jesus Christ is like a sweet balm for our soul and like an impenetrable armor. Saint Augustine was clothed in Jesus Christ when he read this Gospel passage, and from that moment, sin never had power over him."Nevertheless, she will be saved by child-bearing, provided she lives a sensible life and is constant in faith and love and holiness." 1 Timothy 2:15
The vocation of a Christian Mother is not simply to give birth in the flesh, but also to give birth spiritually, and this birth, unlike the pain of the flesh, involves the pain of the spirit. Saint Augustine wrote of his mother, "My mother gave birth to me twice", Monica having given birth to her son both in her physical and spiritual wombs. Like the Blessed Mother, who went through the pain of child-bearing at the foot of the Cross, may God strengthen all Christian mothers to live out their exalted vocation!“Do not scorn the discourse of the wise, but make yourself familiar with their maxims, since from these you will learn the theory and the art of serving the great.” Sirach 8:8
Wise people are those who in their lives have feared God and therefore left a bright legacy for those who wish to learn from them. The Fathers of the Church fit very well into this description. Sometimes we see people who scorn the teachings of the Fathers and instead follow their own ideas. Wise people will take care to study the discourses of the Fathers and in this way will acquire true learning in the ways of God.Since what we aim for is not visible but invisible. Visible things are transitory, but invisible things eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18
To succeed, we all need to have an aim. For most people, their aims in life belong to this world. Winning the approval of men, enjoying transitory pleasures of sin and amassing wealth using any means, even devious, are among the top few. St. Paul asks us to aim for invisible things which belong to the world to come - righteousness, faith, love and peace. These will last forever, whereas all other things will leave us today or tomorrow.Nathanael asked, ‘How do you know me?’ Jesus replied, ‘Before Philip came to call you, I saw you under the fig tree.’ (John 1:48)
Nathanael was conquered by the words of Jesus when the Lord declared to him that He Had seen him under the fig tree even before Philip had called him. Dear brothers and sisters, Jesus wishes to tell us that He knows us more intimately than we know ourselves - no thought of ours escapes His all-perceiving gaze. Our hearts, minds and every thought of ours lies bare before His eyes. Like Nathanael, let us hesitate no longer, but open and give ourselves up to Him Who knows us all.“Put your hope in the Lord, be strong, let your hearts be bold, put your hope in the Lord” Psalms 27:14
When we are downcast, the Spirit of God encourages us to put our hope in the Lord. It's our hope that keeps us afloat in our moments of dryness and spiritual aridity. Hope is a powerful movement caused in our soul by Divine Love whereby it transcends the present and looks forward with confidence to the future, the confidence that the good and loving Lord will surely come to our help in all our distress.“The temporary, light burden of our hardships is earning us for ever an utterly incomparable, eternal weight of glory” 2 Corinthians 4:17
When the Spirit comes into our lives, little by little He makes us realise how short are our lives on this earth, how temporary are the burdens we bear and how great is the reward of eternity. Once this divine truth dawns on us, our sufferings become light, and toil becomes sweet.“She is indeed more splendid than the sun, she outshines all the constellations; compared with light, she takes first place, for light must yield to night, but against Wisdom evil cannot prevail.” Wisdom 7:29-30
God reveals to us that the brilliance of Wisdom is much greater than that of the Sun, and that she is preferable even to light. How great then, are those who have possessed her, how wise those who seek her, but how unfortunate those who have never seen her, how sad the lives of those who have never even heard of her. Let us therefore, seize her and by the gentleness of our good deeds which proceed from her, draw many souls to Her Light.“For the love of Christ overwhelms us when we consider that if one man died for all, then all have died.” 2 Co 5:14
The love of Jesus Christ was the driving force behind all the Saints. The greatness of His love overwhelmed them in that Christ went to the extent of dying for sinful humanity, suffering the greatest torments out of love for them. This inexplicable love conquered all the saints and made them His loyal followers, eager to imitate the example of their leader and Saviour by living and dying for the love of God and their brethren.“Wisdom did not forsake the upright man when he was sold, but snatched him away from sin.” Wisdom 10:13
If we love Wisdom, She in turn will love us and faithfully follow us throughout our lives. Even in the darkest periods of our lives, she makes her presence manifest by coming to our assistance in various ways. Just as with the Patriarch Joseph, Wisdom will protect us from all the temptations of the Evil One and make us firm to resist the Enemy. Therefore, let us earnestly beseech the Most High to bless us with Her friendship!“Make the best of the present time, for it is a wicked age” Ephesians 5:16
The age that we live in is called by both Saints Paul and Peter as “wicked” and “corrupt”. The age is wicked and corrupt not by means of the more apparent sins, but rather by the rise of unbelief, pride, cynicism and hypocrisy. In this age, the Apostles urge us to make full use of our time by meditating and practising the unchanging counsels of our Lord Jesus Christ, which alone give meaning to our lives.“When the storm is over, the wicked is no more, but the upright stands firm for ever.” Proverbs 10:25
The wicked in the Bible are those who pay no attention to God's commandments, but delight in following their own will. The upright on the other hand, fear God and carefully keep His commandments. When people pass through the storms of life, the difference between them is clearly seen - the upright stands firm in adversity because His God comes to His help, whereas the wicked perish completely, receiving no help from God.“Whoever abides by discipline, walks towards life, whoever ignores correction goes astray.”Proverbs 10:17
Sometimes we wonder why we are not able to make much progress in our spiritual life - and the reason is, we lack someone to correct us, or rather, we do not accept corrections which the Lord gives us as well as we should. Therefore, let us be all the more eager to look for corrections and when we receive them, to accept them with the greatest joy."Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman, robed with the sun, standing on the moon, and on her head a crown of twelve stars." Revelation 12:1
Lucifer, because of his pride, was flung down from Heaven. Mary, because of her humility, was assumed into Heaven, body and soul. Let us learn from this humble virgin who persevered in faith, hope, love, holiness and above all, the priceless virtue of humility firm till the end to walk the path of humility all the days of our life, and so enter into the glory which our loving Lord has prepared for those who love Him.“For Wisdom is quicker to move than any motion; she is so pure, she pervades and permeates all things.” Wisdom 7:24
Wisdom conquers evil, in that She is more agile and quicker than evil. Before the evil thought can reach and overpower our mind and thinking, Wisdom helps us to rise along the path of virtue, high above evil suggestions. At the same time, by her purity, she penetrates into the depths of the human mind and intentions, disclosing hidden motives and revealing them for what they are in the sight of God."for Wisdom opened the mouths of the dumb and made eloquent the tongues of babes." Wisdom 10.21
Wisdom, that mighty power which directs the universe along the ways of God, can open our mouths and let loose our tongues that we may declare the praises and glory of God among all men. O Wisdom of God, Jesus Christ, visit us and open our mouths, that they may declare your praise!!“Reflect on the injunctions of the Lord, busy yourself at all times with his commandments. He will strengthen your mind, and the wisdom you desire will be granted you.” Sirach 6:37
God has revealed His commandments and injunctions to us in the Holy Bible so that we may carefully read them and put them into practice. Sadly, very few take the pain to understand them for their own profit. The man who makes meditation on the Law his joy will find wisdom flowing into His soul, which then directs his heart, mind, thoughts, words and actions along the way to Heaven.