Daily Retreat 11/14/07
2007 Nov 14 Wed
Wis 6:1-11/ Ps 81(82):3-4. 6-7/ Lk 17:11-19
From today’s readings: “To you, therefore, O princes, are my words addressed that you may learn wisdom and that you may not sin.... Rise up, O God, bring judgment to the earth.... Ten were cleansed, were they not?”
Wisdom for All
Sometimes, the Word of God is directly addressed to a specific group of people, such as today’s exhortation to kings, magistrates, and princes. Now, while the chapter’s focus makes it easy to see why rulers in particular are addressed, those of us who aren’t “in power over the multitude”
nonetheless should not casually conclude that nothing in these verses applies to us! On the contrary: the fact that these words have been recorded in the Bible is proof that all (“the great as well as the small!”) can benefit at least in some way from this wisdom.
For example, we can benefit from the realization that each one of us does have some limited authority over others, if only by virtue of the ways that our own decisions often directly effect others (more authority = more people affected). Even when this merely involves the most mundane matters, recall that “authority was given you by the Lord...who shall probe your works and scrutinize your counsels.” In other words, we are accountable to God for our motives, actions, and the consequences of our actions, particularly when they affect other people - a sobering reminder for both kings and peons!
One last word to the wise: while the second half of chapter six (vv. 12-25) is omitted from the lectionary, don’t overlook this gem - the poetic personification of Wisdom!
Wis 6:1-11/ Ps 81(82):3-4. 6-7/ Lk 17:11-19
From today’s readings: “To you, therefore, O princes, are my words addressed that you may learn wisdom and that you may not sin.... Rise up, O God, bring judgment to the earth.... Ten were cleansed, were they not?”
Wisdom for All
Sometimes, the Word of God is directly addressed to a specific group of people, such as today’s exhortation to kings, magistrates, and princes. Now, while the chapter’s focus makes it easy to see why rulers in particular are addressed, those of us who aren’t “in power over the multitude”
nonetheless should not casually conclude that nothing in these verses applies to us! On the contrary: the fact that these words have been recorded in the Bible is proof that all (“the great as well as the small!”) can benefit at least in some way from this wisdom.
For example, we can benefit from the realization that each one of us does have some limited authority over others, if only by virtue of the ways that our own decisions often directly effect others (more authority = more people affected). Even when this merely involves the most mundane matters, recall that “authority was given you by the Lord...who shall probe your works and scrutinize your counsels.” In other words, we are accountable to God for our motives, actions, and the consequences of our actions, particularly when they affect other people - a sobering reminder for both kings and peons!
One last word to the wise: while the second half of chapter six (vv. 12-25) is omitted from the lectionary, don’t overlook this gem - the poetic personification of Wisdom!
posted by FrPitstick | 11/12/2007
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