Healing Wisdom

The text from the letter of James in the Roman CatholicLectionary today probes our understanding of the nature of true wisdom. He exhorts us to “Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom” (James 3.13). Friar Jude Winkler explores this letter noting James distinguishes the wisdom practiced in the world with wisdom of heaven. Wisdom in the world may be based on attitudes and ambitions which Mike Cherney of Creighton University experienced as praise for having filled his time so that people wondered when he had time to sleep. The Gospel from Mark is a lengthy description of The Healing of a Boy with a Spirit which is also described in Matthew 17:14-21 and Luke 9:38-43. The disciples of Jesus are unable to cast out the demonic force which is believed to have caused the epileptic symptoms described in the boy. Friar Jude suggests that the disciples who have now become somewhat knowledgeable of the mission of Jesus are now beginning to act on their own authority. The correction to their attitude by Jesus seems to contain frustration at how they have missed the point. The works we do as disciples are as servants to the Will of God. Our prayer life is essential to help us form commitment to allowing the Will of God, in the words of the psalmist, to revive the spirit, make simple, bring rejoicing and enlighten the eyes. We pray “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”(Psalm 19:14). In the internal peace and humility which derives from this prayer, our faith is seen by those gathered by God in our presence. The father seeking healing for his son witnesses this faith which is accord with the will of the Father in Jesus and he moves from the “what do I have to lose by approaching this teacher attitude “to a cry for the Man of God to increase his faith. Witness of faith calls forth faith. The wisdom of the faithful which rests in prayer, service and trust in God is too often difficult to find in those who declare their intellectual or experiential knowledge gleaned from the world of power, prestige and pride to be wisdom.