20th Sunday in Ordinary Time (“B”)
Q. 698: Why is wisdom described as a house in our first reading (Proverbs 9:1-6)? (Return to INDEX page of "Didja Know?" series)
August 19, 2012
A. 698: To help us understand sacred mysteries, in scripture certain attributes (usually human) are attributed to inanimate objects, and even to God. For example, God’s wisdom is portrayed as a regal house. Not many of us—if any—live in a house with seven stately columns. If we did, such a magnificent home would be a very pleasant, eye-catching view, and undoubtedly would be a highly picturesque setting to attract photographers and passersby. Holy Scripture (Proverbs 9:1-6) tells us today that God’s wisdom is like that. It is always attractive, always beckoning, and it is so forcefully prominent (“seven pillars”) that no one with normal eyes could miss finding it.
Nevertheless, as with all of life’s choices, each one of us has a free will, and can make an unwise choice. Holy Scriptures and the writings of the saints are replete with examples of this. Moses spoke on God’s behalf and told them they had two choices, life or death. Of course, the people were urged to choose wisely; in other words, they were urged to choose life. St. Ignatius in the 16th century would also remind us of two choices: to pursue our spiritual journey under the banner of Satan, or under the banner of Jesus Christ. Finally, our reading warns us that there is also a bad choice that can be made by “senseless” or “immature” people, unless they heed the invitation of God. As the NAB phrases it, “forsake foolishness that you may live” (v. 6a). The wrong free-will choice means death.
If our hearts are open to and desirous of the working of God’s spirit within us, we will always make the right choice. The right choice will be to believe in Jesus, and to believe in his Real Presence in the Holy Eucharist. The Eucharist is the living bread (John 6:51-58) which nourishes us, and enables us to make the right choices as prompted by God’s spirit dwelling within us.
KNOW YOUR CATECHISM! Both angels and humans, as intelligent and free creatures, have to journey toward their ultimate eternal destinies by their free choice. God respects the freedom of his creatures and, mysteriously, knows how to derive good even from wrong moral choices. (CCC 311-312)
Deacon Paul Rooney
Mary Our Queen Parish, Omaha
(Go back to Deacon Paul's HOME PAGE)
