Lady Wisdom

In Wisdom is a spirit intelligent, holy, unique, manifold, subtle, agile, clear, unstained, certain, not baneful, loving the good, keen, unhampered, beneficent, kindly, firm, secure, tranquil, all-powerful, all-seeing, and pervading all spirits, though they be intelligent, pure and very subtle.

For Wisdom is mobile beyond all motion, and she penetrates and pervades all things by reason of her purity. For she is an aura of the might of God and a pure effusion of the glory of the Almighty; therefore nought that is sullied enters into her. For she is the refulgence of eternal light, the spotless mirror of the power of God, the image of his goodness.

And she, who is one, can do all things, and renews everything while herself perduring; and passing into holy souls from age to age, she produces friends of God and prophets. For there is nought God loves, be it not one who dwells with Wisdom. For she is fairer than the sun and surpasses every constellation of the stars. Compared to light, she takes precedence; for that, indeed, night supplants, but wickedness prevails not over Wisdom. Indeed, she reaches from end to end mightily and governs all things well. (Wisdom 7:22-8:1)

Wisdom can be defined as: the ability or result of an ability to think and act utilizing knowledge, experience, understanding, common sense, and insight, accumulated knowledge, erudition, or enlightenment. Most of us don’t have wisdom because we are unable to think critically.  We were never taught this skill.

 Critical thinking is: “the ability to effectively analyze information and form a judgment. To think critically, we must be aware of our own biases and assumptions when encountering information and apply consistent standards when evaluating sources.”  Most of us are unaware of our own biases and assumptions leading us to “shout down” or “shut out” those who think differently from us.  Hence, the dilemma for religion and politics that create camps and tribes of like-thinking people who tolerate little argument counter to their own thinking and beliefs.  

“Wickedness prevails not over Wisdom. Indeed, she reaches from end to end mightily and governs all things well.”  Sure, Lady Wisdom can govern all things well unless we keep her "beauty" out of sight hidden from view because this lady demands we think critically.  We find that too difficult because it forces us to confront our biases and perhaps change our long-held opinion(s), thereby putting us at odds within our own camp or tribe.  We risk religious and/or political exclusion and personal attacks.  Most of us won’t take that risk.

Perhaps Wisdom does pervade all things by reason of her purity; however, many of us don’t listen to reason.  Wisdom is feared.  Perhaps we who are impure don’t feel worthy, so we reject her.  If this is our attitude, we must change.  As noted in today’s Wisdom reading: “For she is an aura of the might of God and a pure effusion of the glory of the Almighty.”  Now, that’s a lady with whom we must be intimate.

Deacon David Pierce