Monday, Sept. 20. Lectionary # 449

Scripture: Sept.20, Lectionary # 449. Proverbs 3:27-34. Psalm 15:2-3.3-4.5.
Luke 8:16-18:

We enter the world of Proverbs and the selection continues the thought of
righteousness by showing charity to the poor who have a right to be helped!
The giving to the poor must be done quickly. A Latin adage has put it this
way: "He gives twice who gives quickly." Proverbs has a modern ring about
it for it is practical quick Wisdom. This is also characteristic of
Americans who like the practical type of Wisdom offered in the Book of
Proverbs. Some are so humorous that we can laugh and enjoy the insight of
the traditions that have been handed down so crisply through the borrowings
from Egyptian wisdom as well as the dart-like sayings of the Semitic
tongue. And besides this book is part of Divine Revelation so we should
enjoy it while listening and practicing what it tells us. As wise disciples
we are called to be followers of wisdom.

The very first Psalm of the Bible could have been used for the responsorial
for it is a wisdom psalm the contrasts the way of the righteous and wise
with that of the wicked and perverse. There are two ways that are
contrasted in this psalm but the one who meditates on the law of the Lord
sets out on the way of wisdom. The ethical verses of this psalm and of our
first reading are to be trusted by those who are humble of heart for "to
the humble the Lord shows kindness." (Proverbs 3:34) Our liturgical psalm
response and its verses also fits the theme of wisdom especially in its
first four verses. Verse two states, "He who walks blamelessly and does
justice; who thinks the truth in his heart and slanders not with his tongue
shall love on the Lord's holy mountain." (Psalm 15:2,1).

Jesus for us who believe in him as the Son of God is Wisdom incarnate. He
also tells us some practical things about lighting a lamp and even about
salt. We place a lighted candle where it can help us see, not in a corner
where it keeps us away from the beauty of its light. Jesus shows through
this simile that even though we humans think we can hide things from one
another and even from God, we realize that all will be brought to light. We
are called to be the light of the world. We do not curse the darkness; we
light a candle. We are not to be ashamed of our belonging to the Lord while
witnessing to the truth of the Gospel. We can experience tranquility of
heart when we are open to the light of God's wisdom. Joy also follows.
Amen.