Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: November 16, 2023

Date in the Ordine: Thursday of the 32nd Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture Text: Wisdom 7:22b–8:1

In Wisdom is a spirit intelligent, holy, unique, Manifold, subtle, agile, clear, unstained, certain, Not baneful, loving the good, keen, unhampered, beneficent, kindly, Firm, secure, tranquil, all-powerful, all-seeing, And pervading all spirits, though they be intelligent, pure and very subtle. For Wisdom is mobile beyond all motion, and she penetrates and pervades all things by reason of her purity. For she is an aura of the might of God and a pure effusion of the glory of the Almighty; therefore nought that is sullied enters into her. For she is the refulgence of eternal light, the spotless mirror of the power of God, the image of his goodness. And she, who is one, can do all things, and renews everything while herself perduring; And passing into holy souls from age to age, she produces friends of God and prophets. For there is nought God loves, be it not one who dwells with Wisdom. For she is fairer than the sun and surpasses every constellation of the stars. Compared to light, she takes precedence; for that, indeed, night supplants, but wickedness prevails not over Wisdom. Indeed, she reaches from end to end mightily and governs all things well.

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The first reading today is again drawn from the Book of Wisdom and speaks of wisdom itself, a gift of the Holy Spirit to humanity. As the text tells us at its opening, wisdom itself is a spirit that when we possess it, when we receive it from the Spirit, sets us on a course of righteousness, goodness, kindness and faithfulness. It’s first benefit is that it produces “friends of God and prophets” – those who know there is a LORD and who speaks to others of the LORD. With wisdom comes “an aura of the might of God, a pure effusion of the glory of the Almighty” that wickedness may not prevail over.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Do I pray to the LORD for the gift of the Spirit and wisdom? Do I open myself to the LORD’s gifts and allow the LORD to fill me with wisdom so that I might recognize the LORD and live as I was created to live?

Praying:

Come, Come, O Holy Spirit, fill the hearts and minds of your faithful servants and inflame them

with the fire of your divine love. Open our minds and hearts to your word. Help us to comprehend the wisdom You spread before us as well as the love You shower upon us. Assist us in discerning your will for us and strengthen our resolve so that we might live fully the life you are calling us to live in You, with You, and through You. Come, O Holy Spirit, Come.