Book Of Folly

There is no god besides you who have the care of all, that you need show you have not unjustly condemned. For your might is the source of justice; your mastery over all things makes you lenient to all. For you show your might when the perfection of your power is disbelieved; and in those who know you, you rebuke temerity. 

But though you are master of might, you judge with clemency, and with much lenience you govern us; for power, whenever you will, attends you. And you taught your people, by these deeds, that those who are just must be kind; and you gave your children good ground for hope that you would permit repentance for their sins. (Wisdom 12:13, 16-19)

Can we say the same about ourselves?  Are we sources of justice, lenient to all, granters of clemency, and most of all, are we kind?  And importantly, do we rebuke those who are foolhardy (temerity) such as those who throw caution to the wind and take reckless chances?  Such foolhardy and unkind ones are those who refuse to wear masks or social distance – who believe all our needed caution and safety measures are politically motivated.

On July 4 the United States recorded 45,283 new cases of the coronavirus snapping a streak of multiple days with more than 50,000, according to a tally kept by Johns Hopkins University. The daily death toll was 242. The U.S. has seen more than 2.8 million confirmed cases and more than 129,000 deaths.  Projections are that our coronavirus “plague” will get far worse rather than better especially with July 4 ignoring of public health advice in prominent places such as at Mt. Rushmore on the 3rd.

Our reading is from the Book of Wisdom. Much of our nation refuses to heed the Book.   The Book of Folly has been their summer reading.

Deacon David Pierce