In our Monday Mass, we gather around the Word of God, which guides and nourishes our spiritual journey. In our readings from Sirach and the Gospel of Mark, we find a profound message about the importance of wisdom, the power of faith, and the necessity of prayer—keys that open the door to the extraordinary possibilities that lie within our relationship with God.
The Book of Sirach beautifully articulates that all wisdom comes from the Lord. "Before all things else, wisdom was created." We are further told that it is a divine gift lavished upon those who seek it. Wisdom is described as the root from which understanding grows, it’s like a fountain, refreshing and sustaining, ever-flowing into the lives of those who desire to walk closely with the Lord.
In today’s world, where we are bombarded with competing voices and opinions, it is harder than ever to discern what is truly wise. Secular wisdom often leads us astray, tempting us with fleeting pleasures or material gains that do not satisfy the deepest longings of our souls. It is only by espousing the wisdom that comes from God that we can navigate our lives with clarity and purpose.
And how do we obtain this wisdom? The answer lies in prayer—a profound communication with God, where our hearts are aligned with His. In the Gospel passage, we encounter a desperate father whose son is tormented by a mute spirit. The father approaches Jesus with a plea that resonates deeply with many of us: “If you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” Jesus replies, “Everything is possible to one who has faith.” This pivotal moment reveals to us the connection between faith and prayer. The father’s struggle mirrors our
own; he exclaims, “I do believe, help my unbelief!” This beautiful honesty is a prayer in itself—a plea for deeper faith in the midst of doubt.
Here, we see that recognizing our limitations and weaknesses is essential in our prayer life. When we confront our challenges and moments of helplessness with prayer, we open ourselves to God's infinite power. When Jesus is questioned later by the Apostles who couldn’t drive out the evil spirit, he notes that, “This kind can only come out through prayer.” It is through constant dialogue with God that we are empowered to confront the challenges that seem insurmountable, even impossible.
Prayer enables us to tap into God's wisdom. When we pray, especially when we surrender our will to His, we create space for the Holy Spirit to guide us, to illuminate our minds, and to illuminate our hearts.
So, dear friends, how can we practice this wisdom in our daily lives? It begins with making prayer a priority. We must cultivate a prayer life that is not just a series of requests but a space for encountering God—a conversation, a deepening relationship, an openness to His will. In our moments of decision and struggle—let us first seek the wisdom of God through persistent and sincere prayer.
As we leave Holy Mass today, let us carry with us the assurance that God's wisdom, like his very self in the Eucharist, is not only available to us but desires to dwell within us. Let us ask ourselves: How can we more fully embrace God’s wisdom in our actions and decisions? How can we support one another in prayer to uplift our community? How can we make the reception of the Body and Blood of our Lord more meaningful and powerful in our lives?
May we always strive to remain close to the Lord, and think as he thinks, not as men think. For steeped in the world, our thoughts will pass away with the world. But stepped in God, our thoughts and reflections can help unite us to Christ, and thereby be a means to get us to heaven. Our Lady, Queen of Wisdom, pray for us who have recourse to thee.
Amen.
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