Wisdom


Choose Wisdom


Pasquale Foresi

Pasquale_Foresi-a

Wisdom is based neither on knowledge of the senses nor on intellectualism. It demands we set to one side these types of knowledge in order to reach the point of having – also intellectually – a contact with the supreme intelligence that is God.

But you might ask: “Is wisdom for me? Am I capable of acquiring it? Is it not difficult? Is it not only great geniuses who possess this type of knowledge?”.

Let’s read what the Book of Wisdom tells us about this: “I also am mortal, like all men, a descendant of the first-formed child of earth … For no king has had a different beginning of existence … Therefore I prayed, and understanding was given me” (cf Wis 7:1-7).

This answer is a great consolation. In order to obtain wisdom you don’t need to have had a particular education. Although we are children of Abraham, created out of dust, it’s enough to ask for wisdom through prayer. Everyone can possess it.

However, it’s indispensable to make a choice: “I preferred her to sceptres and thrones, and I accounted wealth as nothing in comparison with her. Neither did I liken to her any priceless gem, because all gold is but a little sand in her sight, and silver will be accounted as clay before her. I loved her more than health and beauty, and I chose to have her rather than light, because her radiance never ceases” (Wis 7: 8-9).

So, to have wisdom we need to put God in the first place in our lives, not be attached to any other goods whatsoever but to love our neighbour and live a life of communion.

Someone might think it would be more worthwhile if we could dedicate more time to studies. But that is not how it is because wisdom is acquired through the concrete difficulties that a normal life brings with it. It is in standing shoulder to shoulder with all kinds of people that we learn many things about certain human values that no book could give us.

To speak of wisdom is to speak of God who enlightens us in a deep manner. If we have the life of God in us, we become wise people. Wisdom “though she is but one, she can do all things, and while remaining in herself, she renews al things; in every generation she passes into holy souls and makes them friends of God, and prophets” (Wis 7:27-28).

Those who have intuited and experienced wisdom feel a desire to set everything aside and give themselves completely to God in their own specific calling.




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