Following up on my thoughts from yesterday, how much are we willing to sacrifice to inherit eternal life? Is it enough to give God that 5 minutes, 30 minutes, 60 minutes each day? I don’t think it is, but it is a start. So what, truly, does God demand of us? Take some time today to read tomorrow’s readings.
In the first reading, Solomon prays for this and receives her. What is the “her” referred to in this reading? Substitute “wisdom” for the word “her” and experience the reading in that light.
I prayed, and prudence was given me;
I pleaded, and the spirit of wisdom came to me.
I preferred wisdom to scepter and throne,
and deemed riches nothing in comparison with wisdom,
nor did I liken any priceless gem to wisdom;
because all gold, in view of wisdom, is a little sand,
and before wisdom, silver is to be accounted mire.
Beyond health and comeliness I loved wisdom,
and I chose to have wisdom rather than the light,
because the splendor of wisdom never yields to sleep.
Yet all good things together came to me in wisdom’s company,
and countless riches at wisdom’s hands.
I pleaded, and the spirit of wisdom came to me.
I preferred wisdom to scepter and throne,
and deemed riches nothing in comparison with wisdom,
nor did I liken any priceless gem to wisdom;
because all gold, in view of wisdom, is a little sand,
and before wisdom, silver is to be accounted mire.
Beyond health and comeliness I loved wisdom,
and I chose to have wisdom rather than the light,
because the splendor of wisdom never yields to sleep.
Yet all good things together came to me in wisdom’s company,
and countless riches at wisdom’s hands.
So what is “wisdom”? The quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment; the quality of being wise…Why is it necessary to pray for wisdom? Can’t I just give God my 5 minutes everyday. Heck, I’ll even add in following the 10 Commandments – surely that is enough – right? Is it? Don’t get me wrong, it will take sacrifice to offer those 5 minutes; it will take sacrifice to follow and commit to the 10 commandments. But again, is that enough?
Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?
Jesus in reply…
You know the commandments: You shall not kill;
you shall not commit adultery;
you shall not steal;
you shall not bear false witness;
you shall not defraud;
honor your father and your mother.
you shall not commit adultery;
you shall not steal;
you shall not bear false witness;
you shall not defraud;
honor your father and your mother.
Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth.
And again, Jesus in reply…
You are lacking in one thing.
Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor
and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.
Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor
and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.
And how did this young man respond?
At that statement his face fell,
and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.
and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.
Is eternal life our ultimate goal? Then pray for the wisdom of Solomon. Sacrifice whatever it is that has taken the place of God in your life – Gold, Silver, golf, wrestling at the Chase (a Sunday morning staple growing up – AFTER CHURCH), sleeping in, work? Whatever it is you can think of that is keeping you from God (and His Church) has to be given up and sacrificed. There is not one thing in this world that should keep me/you away from the love of God. We all have many blessings and all of those blessings come from the same source. We all have many trials and the answer to all of our trials is found in God alone. The Lord offers us eternal life, it is my choice – your choice – to turn away from it. Go back again and read the first reading. Understand what is important. Be wise and chose eternal life. Be wise and be willing to sacrifice everything if necessary to accept that gift from God.
Fill us with your love o Lord and we will sing for Joy.
Teach us to number our days aright,
that we may gain wisdom of heart.
Return, O LORD! How long?
Have pity on your servants!
that we may gain wisdom of heart.
Return, O LORD! How long?
Have pity on your servants!
Fill us at daybreak with your kindness,
that we may shout for joy and gladness all our days.
Make us glad, for the days when you afflicted us,
for the years when we saw evil.
that we may shout for joy and gladness all our days.
Make us glad, for the days when you afflicted us,
for the years when we saw evil.
Let your work be seen by your servants
and your glory by their children;
and may the gracious care of the LORD our God be ours;
prosper the work of our hands for us!
Prosper the work of our hands!
and your glory by their children;
and may the gracious care of the LORD our God be ours;
prosper the work of our hands for us!
Prosper the work of our hands!
Do something great for our Lord today – don’t go away sad because of all the possessions you have. Turn to God, bless Him and pray for the wisdom necessary to achieve His eternal reward.
God’s will, not mine, be done.
Be not afraid; just have faith.
Jesus, I trust in You.
St. Mary Magdalen Men of God 