Wisdom and Support

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to seek the gift of Wisdom to guide our choice of preparation and action as disciples of Christ in our environment.

The Gift of Wisdom

The reading from the Book of Sirach proclaims rewards of Wisdom.

* [4:11–19] The Hebrew text in vv. 15–19 presents wisdom speaking in the first person, as in chap. 24. The precious fruits of wisdom—life, favor, glory, blessings, God’s love—arouse desire for her (vv. 11–14). Her disciples are like ministers (v. 14) and judges (v. 15), whose descendants have her for their heritage (v. 16). They enjoy happiness and learn her secrets after surviving her tests (vv. 17–18). Those who fail her are abandoned to destruction (v. 19). (Sirach, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 119 praises the Glories of God’s Law.

* [Psalm 119] This Psalm, the longest by far in the Psalter, praises God for giving such splendid laws and instruction for people to live by. The author glorifies and thanks God for the Torah, prays for protection from sinners enraged by others’ fidelity to the law, laments the cost of obedience, delights in the law’s consolations, begs for wisdom to understand the precepts, and asks for the rewards of keeping them. (Psalms, PSALM 119 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Mark, the disciples encounter another Exorcist.

* [9:38–41] Jesus warns against jealousy and intolerance toward others, such as exorcists who do not follow us. The saying in Mk 9:40 is a broad principle of the divine tolerance. Even the smallest courtesies shown to those who teach in Jesus’ name do not go unrewarded. (Mark, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB, n.d.)

Maureen McCann Waldron comments that throughout the New Testament, we can imagine Jesus shaking his head at his disciples who “get in wrong” missing the point of his stories and actions. We are all called to spread the good news Jesus brought. Jesus asked us to love one another and to spread his teachings by the example of our lives. 

I haven’t been asked to drive out demons. But can’t I work on my own demons of jealousy and envy?  Can I decide today to love my family better, to be kinder to the neighbor who always wants to talk too long?  To stop judging those who are different than me?

Loving Jesus, take my hand today as I try to follow your teachings more closely.  Help me to open my heart to those around me who are part of my life.  And especially let me see those on the margins who are not ‘inside my circle’ and too easy for me to pass by or ignore.  You gave me your example of how to live and love others.  Let me follow it today. (McCann, 2025)

Don Schwager quotes “Encouraging good works done in Christ,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"We ought not be disturbed because some who do not belong or do not yet belong to this temple, that is, among whom God does not or does not yet dwell, perform some works of power, as happened to the one who cast out devils in the name of Christ (Mark 9:38, Luke 9:49). Although he was not a follower of Christ, Christ ordered that he be allowed to continue because it gave a valuable testimony of his name to many... The centurion Cornelius also saw the angel that was sent to him to say that his prayers had been heard and his alms accepted (Acts 10:3-4), even before he was incorporated into this temple by regeneration." (excerpt from LETTER 187, TO DARDANUS 36) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Mark 9:38-40 comments that Jesus is not about exclusion. His kingdom is open to everyone equally. No one gets special access or receives special treatment. Quite the opposite, in fact. If anyone is the “greatest,” it’s the “one who serves” (Luke 22:27). It’s the one who welcomes little children (Mark 9:37) and who feeds the hungry, visits prisoners, and clothes the naked (Matthew 25:35-36). In other words, it’s the ones who strive to be like Jesus, who “did not come to be served but to serve” (20:28).

Jesus told his disciples, “Whoever is not against us is for us” (Mark 9:40). Anyone who works to liberate people—emotionally, spiritually, physically—is doing God’s work. The world is hurting too much for us to worry about who is and who is not part of our group. The only real question is whether we are joining Jesus in his work of salvation.

“Jesus, give me your heart of humility and love and service.” (Meditation on Mark 9:38-40, 2025)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that the Sirach passage is a continuation about Wisdom. She tests people to see if they are willing to surrender to God’s will. If we choose foolishness we suffer foolishness. If we are wise, we know and serve God. Jesus asserts that driving out demons is not a monopoly. Friar Jude reminds us if we see good we should celebrate not meditate on hidden motives or association. God works in many ways.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces scholar Wendy Farley who writes about the Rhineland mystic Mechthild of Magdeburg.

Mechthild uses royal imagery for God (empress, queen, or lord). But because she conceives of power as a form of love, she understands monarchical metaphors in a distinctive way. God’s majesty and omnipotence are qualities related to the divine desire for intimacy with humanity. For Mechthild, it is not sheer power that makes God divine. It is love. This play between love and power is evident in the preface of Mechthild’s book, where God claims authorship of the book. “I made [gemachet] it in my powerlessness [unmaht], for I cannot restrain myself as to my gifts.” [2] This is a paradoxical way of describing divine power. Even God is powerless to contain God…. God is powerless to stop giving gifts to humanity. Because the divine nature is love, to do so would require the unmaking of divinity itself.  

Theologians such as Augustine and [Martin] Luther struggle to understand how to reconcile love and justice or divine omnipotence and human agency. This is in part because they think of power as coercive or univocal agency. But for Mechthild, God’s desire for humanity is incompatible with sheer omnipotence, not because God has less power but because it is a different kind of power. God renounces power as “might,” in favor of love…. (Rohr, n.d.)

We contemplate the role of our membership and participation in groups in society and implore the Spirit for the Wisdom that retrains our openness to others and their needs.

References

Mark, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved February 26, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/9?38 

McCann, M. (2025, February 26). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved February 26, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/022625.html 

Meditation on Mark 9:38-40. (2025, February 26). The Word Among Us. Retrieved February 26, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/02/26/1210968/ 

Psalms, PSALM 119 | USCCB. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved February 26, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/119?165  

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Mechthild of Magdeburg: God’s Power Is Love. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved February 26, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/mechthild-of-magdeburg-gods-power-is-love/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Any One Who Does a Mighty Work in My Name. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved February 26, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=feb26 

Sirach, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved February 26, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/sirach/4? 

Trust the Greatest

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to accept the difficult tasks of our journey that open us to experience love and compassion that is the measure of greatness.

Greatest Among us

The reading from the Book of Sirach presents our duties towards God.

* [2:1–11] Serving the Lord is not without its trials (v. 1); but no matter what happens, the genuine believer will remain sincere, steadfast, and faithful (vv. 2–3). Misfortune and humiliation are means of purification to prove one’s worth (vv. 4–5). Ben Sira believed that patience and unwavering trust in God are ultimately rewarded with the benefits of God’s mercy and of lasting joy (vv. 6–11). (Sirach, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 37 is an Exhortation to Patience and Trust.

* [Psalm 37] The Psalm responds to the problem of evil, which the Old Testament often expresses as a question: why do the wicked prosper and the good suffer? The Psalm answers that the situation is only temporary. God will reverse things, rewarding the good and punishing the wicked here on earth. The perspective is concrete and earthbound: people’s very actions place them among the ranks of the good or wicked. Each group or “way” has its own inherent dynamism—eventual frustration for the wicked, eventual reward for the just. The Psalm is an acrostic, i.e., each section begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Each section has its own imagery and logic. (Psalms, PSALM 37 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus again foretells His Death and Resurrection and the disciples ask “Who Is the Greatest?”

* [9:33–37] Mark probably intends this incident and the sayings that follow as commentary on the disciples’ lack of understanding (Mk 9:32). Their role in Jesus’ work is one of service, especially to the poor and lowly. Children were the symbol Jesus used for the anawim, the poor in spirit, the lowly in the Christian community. (Mark, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB, n.d.)

Rev. Martha Slocombe invites us to start noticing how often we are truly listening in a conversation and how often we are simply waiting in a conversation.  

How do you think God listens to us? In Mark 9 Jesus brings a child into his arms, and today God listens to our prayers lovingly and patiently, no matter how childish or whiny or privileged they may be from God's perspective. Jesus shows us what it means to welcome those with the least power. We are called to offer the same welcome to those in our midst whom we deem the least important or powerful: the ones who seemingly have nothing to offer us. So go out this week and use your power to welcome into conversation those whom in the past you would have ignored or brushed off. (Slocombe, 2025)

Don Schwager quotes “Downward roots enable upward growth,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"Observe a tree, how it first tends downwards, that it may then shoot forth upwards. It fastens its root low in the ground, that it may send forth its top towards heaven. Is it not from humility that it endeavors to rise? But without humility it will not attain to higher things (Proverbs 18:12). You are wanting to grow up into the air without a root. Such is not growth, but a collapse." (excerpt from THE GOSPEL OF JOHN, SERMON 38.2) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Mark 9:30-37 comments that in the kingdom of God, greatness lies not in being noticed or praised but in being a servant.

Service and sacrifice are like any skill; if you want to develop it, you need to practice. So stay up later to put away the dishes or take on an extra responsibility at work without being noticed. Every time you put someone else’s needs ahead of your own, you are setting aside your desire to be great and instead reflecting the greatness of your Savior.

“Lord, give me the grace to desire to be last.” (Meditation on Mark 9:30-37, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on our sometimes confusion expressed in Sirach as we seek the Wisdom of God. Our trust of God is demonstrated in an attitude of awe and wonder towards the compassion and mercy extended to us. Friar Jude reminds us that serving the child exhorts us to not expect return except in the joy of service.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, and theologian Matthew Fox introduce the life and teachings of German mystic Meister Eckhart.

The inner person is the soil in which God has sown the divine likeness and image and in which God sows the good seed, the roots of all wisdom, all skills, all virtues, all goodness—the seed of the divine nature…. This is the good tree of which our Lord says that it always bears good fruit and never evil fruit. For it desires goodness and is inclined toward goodness…. 

The seed of God is in us. If the seed had a good, wise, and industrious cultivator, it would thrive all the more and grow up to God whose seed it is, and the fruit would be equal to the nature of God. Now, the seed of a pear tree grows into a pear tree, a hazel seed into a hazel tree, the seed of God into God…. While this seed may be crowded, hidden away, and never cultivated, it will still never be obliterated. It glows and shines, gives off light, burns, and is unceasingly inclined toward God. (Rohr, n.d.)

We can identify with Jesus' disciples in our concern about who is the greatest and how we process the link with greatness to our care for the least among us.

References

Mark, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved February 25, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/9?30 

Meditation on Mark 9:30-37. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved February 25, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/02/25/1210351/ 

Psalms, PSALM 37 | USCCB. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved February 25, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/37?3 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Meister Eckhart: A Mystic Preacher. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved February 25, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/meister-eckhart-a-mystic-preacher/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Who Is the Greatest in God's Kingdom? Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved February 25, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=feb25 

Sirach, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved February 25, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/sirach/2?1 

Slocombe, M. (2025, February 25). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved February 25, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/022525.html 

Wisdom Faith and Prayer

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to bolster our understanding of the role of the Wisdom of God, revealed in prayer, in increasing our faith.

Wisdom Faith and Prayer

The reading from the Book of Sirach is in Praise of Wisdom.

* [1:1–10] This brief poem serves as an introduction to the book. The Lord is the source and preserver of all wisdom, which he pours out upon all. See Jb 28:20–28; Prv 2:6; 8:22–31; Wis 7:25–27.

* [1:1] Wisdom: throughout the book Ben Sira describes in great detail just what wisdom is: sometimes divine (1:6, 8), sometimes a synonym for God’s law (24:22–23). Ben Sira makes clear that all wisdom comes from God. (Sirach, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB, n.d.) 

Psalm 93 praises the Majesty of God’s Rule.

 

* [Psalm 93] A hymn celebrating the kingship of God, who created the world (Ps 93:1–2) by defeating the sea (Ps 93:3–4). In the ancient myth that is alluded to here, Sea completely covered the land, making it impossible for the human community to live. Sea, or Flood, roars in anger against God, who is personified in the storm. God’s utterances or decrees are given authority by the victory over Sea (Ps 93:5).

* [93:1] The LORD is king: lit., “the LORD reigns.” This Psalm, and Ps 47; 96–99, are sometimes called enthronement Psalms. They may have been used in a special liturgy during which God’s ascent to the throne was ritually reenacted. They have also been interpreted eschatologically, pointing to the coming of God as king at the end-time.

* [93:3] The flood: the primordial sea was tamed by God in the act of creation. It is a figure of chaos and rebellion, cf. Ps 46:4. (Psalms, PSALM 93 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Mark presents the Healing of a Boy with a Spirit.

* [9:14–29] The disciples’ failure to effect a cure seems to reflect unfavorably on Jesus (Mk 9:14–18, 22). In response Jesus exposes their lack of trust in God (Mk 9:19) and scores their lack of prayer (Mk 9:29), i.e., of conscious reliance on God’s power when acting in Jesus’ name. For Matthew, see note on Mt 17:14–20. Lk 9:37–43 centers attention on Jesus’ sovereign power.

* [9:29] This kind can only come out through prayer: a variant reading adds “and through fasting.” (Mark, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB, n.d.)

Mike Cherney shares that he is someone who can overestimate his own role in the grand scheme of things.

What also strikes me in this Gospel passage is the father’s honest cry, "I do believe, help my unbelief!" The last month has been particularly upsetting for me. As I wrestle with uncertainty in the world and in my own life, and I am consoled knowing that Jesus does not dismiss the father’s “mixed” faith but instead responds with compassion and healing. This moment encourages me to bring my own doubts and struggles to God, trusting that my incomplete faith is still enough for God to work in my life. (Cherney, 2025)

Don Schwager quotes “Emerging faith seeks maturity,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"In saying, 'When the Son of Man shall come, shall he find faith upon the earth?' our Lord spoke of that faith which is fully matured, which is so seldom found on earth. The church's faith is full, for who would come here if there were no fullness of faith? And whose faith when fully matured would not move mountains (Matthew 17:20; 21:22)? Look at the apostles themselves, who would not have left all they had, trodden under foot this world's hope, and followed the Lord, if they had not had proportionally great faith. And yet if they had already experienced a completely matured faith, they would have not said to the Lord, 'Increase our faith' (Luke 17:5). Rather we find here an emerging faith, which is not yet full faith, in that father who when he had presented to the Lord his son to be cured of an evil spirit and was asked whether he believed, answered, 'Lord, I believe, help me in my unbelief' (Mark 9:24). 'Lord,' says he, 'I believe.' 'I believe': therefore there was faith; but 'help me in my unbelief': therefore there was not full faith (Hebrews 10:22)." (excerpt from SERMONS ON NEW TESTAMENT LESSONS 65) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Mark 9:14-29 comments that we’re not much different from this beleaguered father at times. Sometimes we wonder if Jesus can really help us. It’s not because we don’t believe in him. It’s just that we are so used to trusting only in what we have experienced in the past. But as he did with this man, Jesus assures us that so much more is possible—if we have faith.

The smallest seed of faith can bring God into your situation. Don’t wait until you think you have “great faith.” Just offer Jesus what you have. As you see him at work in your life, your belief and trust will grow stronger. It will guide you and help you navigate your challenges. It will open you to the wisdom and comfort of the Holy Spirit. So stand back, take a deep breath, and watch Jesus get to work!

“Lord, I come to you now, with the faith I have, to ask for your help!” (Meditation on Mark 9:14-29, 2025)

Friar Jude Winkler notes that Sirach is one of the late books of the Bible, originally only found in Greek and not included in the Jewish or Protestant Canon. The theme presented by Sirach is that Jewish Wisdom is as good as Greek wisdom during a time of Hellenization. Friar Jude notes the continuing misunderstanding of the disciples about Jesus' ministry as they attempt to heal the young boy who likely suffered from epilepsy.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces CAC affiliate faculty member Carmen Acevedo Butcher who describes the extraordinary life of Hildegard of Bingen. She highlights Hildegard’s passion for music as a pathway to God in songs that often praised God’s presence in creation.

O Holy Power who forged the Way for us!  

You penetrate all in heaven and earth and even down below.   

You’re everything in One.   

Through You, clouds billow and roll and winds fly!  

Seeds drip juice,   

springs bubble into brooks, and   

spring’s refreshing greens flow—through You—over all the earth!  

You also lead my spirit into Fullness.   

Holy Power, blow wisdom in my soul and—with your wisdom—Joy! [3] (Rohr, n.d.)

We consider the gift of faith in times of uncertainty in the events of our journey and seek the comfort of the Spirit through our prayer and action,

References

Cherney, M. (2025, February 24). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved February 24, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/022425.html 

Mark, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved February 24, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/9?14 

Meditation on Mark 9:14-29. (2025, February 24). The Word Among Us. Retrieved February 24, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/02/24/1209769/ 

Psalms, PSALM 93 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Retrieved February 24, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/93?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Hildegard of Bingen: A Multi-Talented Mystic. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved February 24, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/hildegard-of-bingen-a-multi-talented-mystic/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). All Things Are Possible to Him Who Believes. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved February 24, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=feb24 

Sirach, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved February 24, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/sirach/1?1