by Sister Ann Rehrauer
This week I was speaking with a gentleman, and he commented, “You know, common sense isn’t as 'common' as it used to be.” We had been discussing the sharp divisions of opinion in our country about racism, gun violence, and immigration.
Then I happened to look at the first two readings for this Sunday. Both the author of the Book of Proverbs and St. Paul speak of wisdom vs. foolishness. As you would expect, they encouraged the former and advise against ignorance and foolish living.
On deeper reflection, I thought about how one discerns the difference between true wisdom in seeking the “will of the Lord” or other aspects of our life, and what just seems to be the common sense approach or popular opinion.
Of the crowds who followed Jesus and heard his explanation of the “living bread”, many thought “eating his flesh” pure foolishness, and they left. Common sense would say, “This man can’t give us his flesh to eat.” But true wisdom called for further reflection. Some people were perplexed but stayed to hear the further explanation. And others, in wisdom, accepted the teaching on what we have come to call the gift of the Eucharist.
This week, may we search the Scriptures, seek the inspiration of the Spirit, and pray for the gift of Wisdom as we make choices that affect our lives and the lives of others.
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Jesus is Wisdom-Incarnate. Yes. Manna was God's gift for the People on the journey to new life. Jesus replaces one heavenly life-giving gift with his very own Being. His Spirit - the Wisdom, Goodness, Love of God - becomes our nourishment on the path to ever-and-always 'new' life.
In these days of continuing revelation of scandalous, abusive priests -- those who were so ordained, as was taught -- to consecrate and make manifest the Presence of Christ in Eucharist, we are being called to a 'new' understanding of what it means to 'be priest' and to 'share in the priesthood of Jesus Christ,' according to the 'new life' Wisdom-and-Goodness of God. -- Linda