Welcome to our Inclusive Catholic community
where all are equals and everyone is invited to participate in the homily
discussion and our prayers. Each one of us is has a wisp of wisdom and we learn
from each other.
Theme: Today, our theme is Wisdom and Unity.
The Spirit of Wisdom is central to the act of creation; a resource used by the
Divine to do no less than set the earth and heavens in place. As beloved ones
from and of the Divine, each of us is invited to deploy our shares of Wisdom to
continue Creation in a loving way. We do that as members of one body, sometimes
troubled, but always trying to seek and move together toward greater peace and justice.
Homily Starter: Wisdom as a female spirit of ultimate
value is expressed in lovely metaphors – She offers pleasant paths, roads leading
to peace and she is a tree of life for those who embrace her. Most reassuringly,
the first line says “When you find Wisdom” so, each of us is supposed
to develop Wisdom and hold fast to her. Wisdom isn’t some spectral Holy Ghost
in a trinity working above and beyond us; it isn’t for some and not others; it
is the readily available result of a faithful heart. Every one of us has our
own Divine Wisdom to contribute if we agree to walk the road, take the path,
hug the tree and hold fast.
Our second reading asks us to clothe ourselves in a bunch of
virtues (compassion, kindness, humility etc.) which seem like different names
for Wisdom. But here, Paul recognizes the trial of wearing such clothes close
to our skin and our hearts–we have to bear with one another and forgive all the
time and not hold onto grudges. Sounds not so easy, so why should we do it?
Traditional religion says to save ourselves and reach heaven.
Paul doesn’t mention sin or a someday heaven. He makes Christ’s peace our
natural calling immediately. He says we can experience Divine peace as members
of one unified body as long as we put on the clothes of wisdom and bind
ourselves together in love. So our shared Wisdom leads us to peace and unity,
sometimes troubling and challenging but always loving… and isn’t that the essence
of our continuing story of creating ourselves to mirror the image of the
Divine? Your thoughts?
A
Reading from Proverbs 3:13 - 20
Happy are you when you find Wisdom,
when you develop discernment.
For she is more profitable than silver,
and brings yields greater even than
gold.
She is more precious than rubies;
nothing you can conceivably desire
can equal her value.
She holds long life in one hand,
riches and honor in the other.
Her paths are pleasant ones,
and all her roads lead to peace.
She is a tree of life for those who
embrace her,
and all who hold fast to her find
happiness.
For it was through her that Yahweh laid
the earth’s
foundation,
through her that the heavens were set in
place.
By God’s knowledge the depths were
deepened,
and clouds dropped down dew.
A Reading from Paul to the Colossians 3:12-15
Because you are God’s chosen ones, holy
and beloved,
Clothe yourselves with heartfelt
compassion, with kindness.
humility, gentleness and patience. Bear
with one another;
forgive whatever grievances you have
against one another –
forgive in the same way the Holy One has
forgiven you. Above all else, put
on love,
which binds the rest together and makes them perfect.
Let Christ’s peace reign in your hearts
since, as members of one body,
you have been called to that peace.
These are the inspired words of Paul,
disciple of Jesus
Upper Room Inclusive Catholic Community of NYS Capital Region
http://www.inclusivecatholiccommunity-nycr.org/
upperroomicc@gmail.com
No comments:
Post a Comment