Friday of the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time
Having just sent our youngest off to college (well, more like “moved” him), and knowing that all over the country students are beginning or returning to school at all grade levels, I am reminded of the huge importance the pursuit of knowledge and “wisdom” has in our society, including my own family. And as our children grow and gain more independence, how often do we encourage (and pray for) them to make wise decisions rather than foolish ones? Countless times, I suspect. Yet today’s first reading kind of turns what is foolish and wise upside down.
In today’s passage from Paul’s letter to the Corinthians (1:17-25) we read that what may seem to be foolishness to the world is actually our salvation, “The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the learning of the learned I will set aside….Has not God made the wisdom of the world foolish?”
Okay, so why are we putting all this time and money into education?!
Clearly said in jest, but I am reminded again that although we (and our children) can study, learn, and gain knowledge, and even appear “wise” by worldly standards, this in no way guarantees true wisdom. Similar to this past Sunday’s gospel reading from Luke (13:22-30), we are dealing with a paradox, “For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”
What may look foolish to the world is to follow Christ, “the power of God and the wisdom of God.” And that is where true wisdom is found. So at the start of this new school year, let us pray for each other, whether students and teachers or not, for the grace to use the gifts and knowledge we have been given to seek and follow true Wisdom, which is the Christ.
~Eileen Miller