That is the advice given in this opening chapter of the Book of Wisdom.
Wisdom does not come to the sinner or keep company with deceitful people.
And one ought to seek Wisdom and do so while remaining pure and in goodness.
It is not absolutely clear but suggested pretty strongly that Wisdom is synonymous with God.
The last line of this passage suggests that quite clearly, “For the spirit of the Lord fills the world, is all-embracing, and knows whatever is said.”
Psalm 139, though written at least 400 years before the Book of Wisdom, says the same more eloquently, “O Lord, you have probed me and you know me …”; “… you understand my thoughts from afar”; “… with all my ways you are familiar”; “Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know the whole of it.”
This God — this Wisdom — is all-pervasive.
Yes, to seek it with all of our heart is advice well-given and hopefully well-received.
Jesus also advises them to rebuke those who sin, but should they repent, to forgive them.
Then Jesus takes it to the extreme when he finishes his advice with, “And if your brother wrongs you seven times,” hint: that perfect number suggesting many, many, many times, “in one day and returns seven times,” that perfect number again, “saying ‘I am sorry,’ you should forgive him.”
Of course, following Jesus to the cross, he goes so much further.
Without any repentance on the part of the crowd of haters, he forgives them all and asks the Father’s forgiveness for all of his killers.
Maybe this little bit of wisdom was leading them and us to the source of all Wisdom — God himself.
Oh, if only we would seek it with all of our hearts and make our homes — our bodies, minds, hearts — a welcoming place for Wisdom to dwell.
Father Perry Dean Leiker is the 13th pastor of St. Bernard Catholic Church. Reach him at (323) 255-6142. Email Father Perry at pleiker@stbernard-church.com.
