Wisdom

Readings for Monday April 27, 2009

First Reading:  Acts 6:8-15

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 119

Gospel:  John 6:22-29

Stephen, filled with grace and power, was working great wonders and signs among the people.
Certain members of the so-called Synagogue of Freedmen, Cyreneans, and Alexandrians, and people from Cilicia and Asia, came forward and debated with Stephen,
but they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke.  (Acts 6:8-10)

Like Jesus and the rest of the apostles, Stephen is also challenged by the Jewish leaders because of his teaching about Christ.  Regardless of all of their challenges and attempts, the Jewish leaders couldn't seem to get the better of Stephen.  Now, why do you think that they were not able to find fault in his speaking or twist around what he was saying?  Do you think it was because Stephen was on a championship winning debate team in school?  Or perhaps it was because he went and took a few public speaking classes.  No, it wasn't any of Stephen's past experiences or personality traits that made him a strong and persuasive speaker and able to ward off the attacks by the Jews.  We are told in scripture that Stephen was "filled with grace and power" ... and that "they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke."  It is because of the gifts from God that Stephen was as effective at spreading the gospel as he was.  

Now, it says that they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke.  So how does one become wise and with the Spirit?  To gain the Holy Spirit, we must ask this through prayer and by following, obeying, and trusting in God.  We must find out how the Holy Spirit wants to work in our lives, and this can only be accomplished through prayer.  Now, what about wisdom, how does one receive wisdom?  Once again this is something that is granted by God, and by asking Him to open your heart and mind to His truth.  Now our prayer life should not be spent asking God for wisdom, but it should mostly consist of us listening to God.  In prayer we cannot be the ones doing all of the talking, it might not be a bad idea to let the creator of us and the universe to give us some direction and clarity in our lives.    

Now along with praying for wisdom, we must also accompany this with reading of sacred scripture.  It is through reading and praying through God's word, that we can begin to see the truth that He has for us.  Reading of the word of God is a sure way to gain the wisdom that we are to gain in life.  Saint Jerome once said, "ignorance of scripture is ignorance of Christ."  Let us not be ignorant of our Lord and Savior, let us all open our bibles and begin to listen to God, and may we too be filled with wisdom and the Spirit.  

Father above, we thank you for the gift of this day.  Lord, we pray that you will continue to open our hearts and minds to your holy word.  Lord send us your Spirit so that we might gain the wisdom and the courage to follow you where ever you lead.  Lord, we know that you are all knowing and all wise, and the even the foolishness of you is greater than the wisdom of all mankind.  May we always seek your truth and not the lies of the world.  We ask this all through Christ our Lord.  Amen.