Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31
"Trinity" - Year C
The depth of wisdom is from ancient of days. Actually from before any days, metaphoric or literal. Before even the chaos of the deep had any depth, wisdom was.
There is no need for wisdom to make a scene to get recognized. Wisdom is simply present. When we cover up its presence with our busyness or canon law, wisdom is still present. There could even be an equation set up that would equate wisdom with prevenient grace.
When we finally listen, it is as if wisdom has uttered a special call, just to us, but it was there all along and available to others as well. This sets up another equation of wisdom with humility.
In the end, the wisdom of wisdom is to always be up-to-date. A prior wisdom can be built upon and it may even be built into a different manifestation of wisdom that is most surprising.
http://kcmlection.blogspot.com/2013/05/pentecost-1-year-c-proverbs-81-4-22-31.html
There is no place that Lady Wisdom is not present -- ahead on the heights, behind in the valley, alongside here at the crossroads.
By extension the same is true in terms of time as well as space. There is no time that Lady Wisdom is not present -- back at the beginning, ahead at the closing, alongside here in the moment.
About twice as far into the book of Proverbs we find one of my favorite verses, 17:24, that relates to this matter. In the Jerusalem Bible it reads, "The discerning person has wisdom there before them, but the eyes of the fool range to the ends of the earth."
Be a discerner of the times and the events of your life, don't be a fool. Discern Lady Wisdom in her beauty right here, right now.
Beauty before us, behind us, above us, below us, alongside us, within us. Forever.
http://www.kairoscomotion.org/lectionary/2004/june2004.html
In verse 30, one word ’āmôn identifies three different ways of being with G*D: "master worker", "nursing child" or "confidant".
It is important to play all three parts, as well as some others. If we find ourselves confined to one relationship with G*D we are as poor as when we have a single relationship with those dear to us.
These can cycle within a day, week, or month. If we lose track of one of these for more than a month, we may have lost it for a goodly amount of time.
It may be time for another refrigerator door chart that indicates a date and the categories of "master worker", "nursing child" and "confidant". At the end of each day, reflect back about how often you found yourself in a particular category. At the end of the week, reflect on what this tells you about your relationship with G*D and how it might need to be tweaked.
The same exercise can be done in your relationship to family, community, nation, creation. Again, how healthy/whole is that relationship and what might enhance it?
- - -
a Lord has acquired me
at the beginning of this week's cycle
before the details and import
of the days ahead is clarified
assignments have been given
tools and gifts distributed
energy and authority granted
time to get to work
sabbath time comes regularly
nursing us with assurance
pleasure comfort and promise
time to pause and plan
from what we learn
we turn to teach
a confident confidant
time to refine and evolve
another week established
another day circled
in the face of too much future
we receive rejoicing and delight
http://kcmlection.blogspot.com/2007_05_01_archive.html
Ahh, Lady Wisdom, Madame Insight, finally raises a clear eye and a firm voice to the nonsense that has been swirling about, confusing folks as to where life might be found and grow.
As often with wisdom, it surfaces in the in-between places of life, such as the elided section of the pericope. Listen to some of the words we miss this week that we need to adopt in the midst of different bases of authority and power:
truth
justice
straightforward
prudence
knowledge
foresight
hate evil
counsel
resourcefulness
courage
love
resources
righteousness
Without a good wrestle with these we are simply left with the emptiness of self-importance. Look at me! See how important I am! G*D and I are closer than crossed fingers! Just do as I say!
We need the middle section that will not be heard unless we claim a wisdom that goes beyond praise, praise, praise. I wouldn't be surprised to find that the good news of Pentecost that was shared in native tongues exactly parallels the missing images. Good news is always grounded in clarifying issues and enhancing lives. Pentecost is not just about praise, but bringing light to the troublesome areas of present lives (those 2,000 and 4,000 years ago as well as right now and 2,000 years into the future).
http://kcmlection.blogspot.com/2010/05/proverbs-81-4-22-31.html