SAINT MARGARET OF SCOTLAND (OPTIONAL MEMORIAL)

Wickedness prevails not over Wisdom. 

There are many synonyms for the word “wisdom”: intelligence, prudence, insight, and foresight, for example. But none of them quite capture the depth and value of the word. Think about it—it’s possible to be both intelligent and evil, but have you ever heard of a person described as both wise and evil? Probably not.

Being wise is about more than having a good education or awesome skills. Wisdom is all about goodness and virtue, about knowing what is right and acting on it. That’s why today’s first reading tells us that wickedness will never prevail over wisdom (Wisdom 7:30).

Does this description of wisdom sound a little familiar? The reading portrays wisdom as “a spirit . . . all-powerful, all-seeing” that “penetrates and pervades all things by reason of her purity” (Wisdom 7:22, 23, 24). Wisdom is a person who “can do all things,” and who, “passing into holy souls from age to age . . . produces friends of God and prophets” (7:27). That sounds a lot like the Holy Spirit, doesn’t it? The truth is, what this ancient writer called “wisdom,” we now understand to be God himself dwelling in us through the Holy Spirit.

All this might bring to mind an image of God that gives us a cozy, peaceful feeling, and to a degree, it should. But God’s wisdom, the Holy Spirit, is much more than that. Jesus also revealed him to be the “Spirit of truth” (John 15:26)—God’s active presence in us, who works to challenge our preconceived notions and who urges us to live in obedience to God’s commands. That’s what makes us wise!

Wisdom doesn’t just come from God—wisdom is God always working to transform us and to mold us into his image. The Spirit teaches you and purifies you in so many ways, whether it’s through a Scripture reading that speaks to you, through the grace to handle a difficult situation, or through the example of saints in heaven and on earth. You can know and develop a relationship with this divine Wisdom, who is God himself! So if you want wisdom, yield your heart to the Spirit in every challenging situation. Then wickedness will not prevail over you!

“Holy Spirit, Wisdom of God, lead me in your ways today!”

Wisdom 7:22-8:1
Psalm 119:89-91, 130, 135, 175
Luke 17:20-25