Daily Retreat 11/12/07
2007 Nov 12 Mon:Josaphat, bp, r, mt M
Wis 1:1-7/ Ps 138(139):1b-3. 4-6. 7-8. 9-10/ Lk 17:1-6
From today’s readings: “Love justice, you who judge the earth; think of the Lord in goodness, and seek Him in integrity of heart.... Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.... If you have faith the size of a mustard seed....”
Words of Wisdom
Although most of the Old Testament was written in Hebrew, there are seven books (Tobit, Judith, 1,2 Maccabees, Wisdom, Sirach or Ecclesiasticus, Baruch) which were either originally written in Greek or, for those that were written in Hebrew, the original text was lost. For this reason, these seven books are not included in most protestant versions of the Bible, nor in Jewish editions. However, most of the Church Fathers treat them as inspired scripture, and so they have been recognized by Catholics and Orthodox Christians as belonging to the Bible. (The issue of the formation of the Old Testament canon is actually more complicated and nuanced, but this is just a basic outline explaining why the book of Wisdom is not found in some bibles).
For the next week, the first reading will be taken from the book of Wisdom. The writing style is dense, but profound. Every verse must be read slowly and thoughtfully in order to reap the sapiential insights. It will be helpful to compare two different translations in order to grasp better the meaning of the text.
The first chapter, from which today’s verses are drawn, is basically a warning against wickedness, which separates one from divine Wisdom. You might consider choosing one favorite verse as a proverb to dwell on throughout this day; for example, verse four reminds us that sin and evil expel wisdom: “Because into a soul that plots evil, wisdom enters not, nor dwells she in a body under debt of sin.”
Wis 1:1-7/ Ps 138(139):1b-3. 4-6. 7-8. 9-10/ Lk 17:1-6
From today’s readings: “Love justice, you who judge the earth; think of the Lord in goodness, and seek Him in integrity of heart.... Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.... If you have faith the size of a mustard seed....”
Words of Wisdom
Although most of the Old Testament was written in Hebrew, there are seven books (Tobit, Judith, 1,2 Maccabees, Wisdom, Sirach or Ecclesiasticus, Baruch) which were either originally written in Greek or, for those that were written in Hebrew, the original text was lost. For this reason, these seven books are not included in most protestant versions of the Bible, nor in Jewish editions. However, most of the Church Fathers treat them as inspired scripture, and so they have been recognized by Catholics and Orthodox Christians as belonging to the Bible. (The issue of the formation of the Old Testament canon is actually more complicated and nuanced, but this is just a basic outline explaining why the book of Wisdom is not found in some bibles).
For the next week, the first reading will be taken from the book of Wisdom. The writing style is dense, but profound. Every verse must be read slowly and thoughtfully in order to reap the sapiential insights. It will be helpful to compare two different translations in order to grasp better the meaning of the text.
The first chapter, from which today’s verses are drawn, is basically a warning against wickedness, which separates one from divine Wisdom. You might consider choosing one favorite verse as a proverb to dwell on throughout this day; for example, verse four reminds us that sin and evil expel wisdom: “Because into a soul that plots evil, wisdom enters not, nor dwells she in a body under debt of sin.”
posted by FrPitstick | 11/11/2007
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