Next Step in Wisdom

The psalmist in the texts from the Roman CatholicLectionary today praises the majesty of the rule of God. Friar Jude Winkler comments that the passage from the Book of Sirach is by a Jewish author during the time of the domination of Mediterranean world by the Greek Empire of Alexander the Great. The author presents Jewish tradition and spirituality as wisdom for the people who were being greatly influenced by Greek culture. The personification of the quality of wisdom in the Spirit of God is as a woman. This wisdom is evidenced in the manner of the organization and life of the universe which is beyond the ability of humans to comprehend. The Gospel fromMark, who wrote in a particular style for the ears of Gentile Romans, gives us pictures of the actions of Jesus and the spiritual background which activates these actions. Jesus heals the young man of what Friar Jude suspects is epilepsy and in the process underlines the role of our prayer to awaken our faith and to open our trust in God to be what we can activate at the moment. We are called to bring all our commitment to the Will of the Father at whatever level that is. The interaction with God in prayer and action works with us where we are and invites us to take the next step. The Wisdom which is in the majesty of the universe is about moving toward God in the events of our life.