Monday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
Wisdom often seems to have an elusive quality. It’s hard to get a grasp on what precisely is wisdom. Doubtlessly, there are some who think they are wise but are not, which is why James begins his letter today by saying that the wise person will “show his works by a good life in the humility that comes from wisdom” (Jas. 3:13). Although wisdom may seem intangible, the works of a good life is more tangible. We can probably call to mind many of these works – feeding the poor, caring for the sick, being nice to annoying co-workers, being patient with children, and so on. This is the kind of wisdom that comes from above, from God, in contrast with the earthly wisdom that includes jealousy, boasting, and selfishness. Hence James’ letter once again provides us with some practical advice for everyday Christian life. As Christians, we should want to be wise, and one way to receive wisdom from God is to engage in the many practical works of a good life. The gospel story provides an interesting pair to the first reading. In this passage from Mark there is the account of a possessed boy, an interceding, desperate father, and the unsuccessful disciples. The closing line of this story kind of echoes beyond the story itself: “This kind can only come out through prayer” (Mk. 9:29). Could it be that the disciples failed because they did not pray? Prayer, like wisdom, also sometimes seems to have an elusive quality. In this case, we probably know what prayer is, but we don’t always know when we are really doing it. We may sometimes feel that our mind is wandering or that we are distracted. We may commit ourselves to being more dedicated to prayer one day, only to find ourselves completely forgetting to pray the next.
Today’s readings challenge us to recommit ourselves to prayer and to a good life. Certainly it is easier to say we are Christian than actually to pursue wisdom and to be dedicated to prayer. But this is not what we are called to do as Christians. Part of seeing the world truthfully, as it really is, is to be able to recognize the importance of wisdom from above and of the power of prayer. At the same time, part of seeing the world truthfully is also recognizing that we don’t have to do this alone. We don’t have to attain wisdom and the perfect prayer life by ourselves. For one thing, we have the help and model of those around us – people like James who provides us with instructions today – as well as the other members of our churches. The most important help we receive, however, is from God. It is by the grace of God that we are able to pray and able to receive wisdom from above.
Today, take some time to reflect on wisdom and prayer. Think about how you might recommit yourself to the works of the good life and the life of prayer. Think about those around you, including the communion of saints, who provide a model that you would like to follow. Then pray that God will grant you the grace to grow closer to him in wisdom and in prayer. Maria Morrow