Wednesday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time [I]
1 Timothy 3:14-16  +  Luke 7:31-35
September 18, 2019

   “But wisdom is vindicated by all her children.”   

Our society today is knowledge-rich but wisdom-poor.  Consider the differences between knowledge and wisdom.

Knowledge today, as it’s commonly considered, is thought to be facts and figures.  A recently enshrined paragon of knowledge is an IBM computer called “Watson”, which can spit forth names and dates faster than human game show champions.  While we might dispute whether facts and figures are the essence of knowledge or merely some of its components, we often educate our children according to knowledge-based systems.

What would it mean instead to educate children, and to re-form adults, according to a pattern of wisdom instead?  Jesus in today’s Gospel hints that “wisdom is vindicated by all her children”.  These curious words suggest that wisdom “educates” not according to a knowledge-based system, but according to a person-based system.  Jesus teaches us that wisdom bears children; it doesn’t generate results.  Wisdom can only be understood according to a personalistic view of human life, the Gospel, and the eternal life to which Jesus wants to lead us.  It’s wise for us to follow Him.

Our Lady Seat of Wisdom
from the Maestà altarpiece of Duccio di Buoninsegna [c. 1255-c. 1318]