A: 32nd Sun of OrdTime (8 Nov 2020) - LADY WISDOM (Wis 6:12-16)

Our First Reading today is taken from the Book of Wisdom. In the text, the virtue of wisdom is personified as a woman. The feminine pronominal pronoun she/her is used to portray this value, producing the moniker “Lady Wisdom.” Since the composition of the Book of Wisdom is dated sometime around the 50 BCE, probably in the Egyptian city of Alexandria, its context is observably Hellenistic and inured to syncretism, i.e., a practice of cut-and-paste of foreign cultural elements, that was prevalent in Greco-Roman societies. Accordingly, some scholars believe that Lady Wisdom is a mere accommodation of the Egyptian goddess named Isis, whose cult was intermixed with the Greek mythological fertility deity called Demeter. Isis was known to be capable of granting her devotees a recovery from sickness, safety in perilous journeys, physical well-being, and material prosperity. Consequently, her cult became very popular in antiquity as people of mixed ethnicity sought her constant protection and guidance.

Some commentators, meanwhile, view Lady Wisdom as an allusion either to the Church or the Blessed Mother Mary. Indeed, the Church can be likened to Isis for protecting the faithful from being swayed away from truthfulness and righteousness, particularly in matters of doctrinal beliefs and issues of morality. Similarly, Mary can be Isis-like, too, in her role as the Mother of Perpetual Help who sees to it that those who ask her intercession will be aided in their needs.

Regardless of who is the one alluded to by Lady Wisdom—Isis, the Church, or Mary—what is important to note is that in the Bible, she is presented by the sage as a woman who is motherly in her relationship with those who seek her presence and assistance. She is introduced in the text of Wis 6:12–11:1 under three basic characteristics of being vigilant, virtuous, and valiant.

Vigilant. Lady Wisdom awaits. And the “[o]ne who watches for her at dawn will not be disappointed, for she will be found sitting at the gate” (Wis 6:14). Furthermore, she is not only a passive bystander, but she is an active vigilant seeker who will offer help readily “[b]ecause she makes her rounds, seeking those worthy of her” (Wis 6:16).

Virtuous. Lady Wisdom is holy. The sage enlisted her innumerable attributes: “intelligent, holy, unique, manifold, subtle, unstained, certain, never harmful, loving the good, keen, unhampered, beneficent, kindly, firm, secure, tranquil, all-powerful, all-seeing” (Wis 7:22-23). But all these values are engrained in her main virtue of holiness “[f]or she is the reflection of eternal light, the spotless mirror of the power of God, the image of his goodness” (Wis 7:26).

Valiant. Lady Wisdom perseveres. Despite many difficulties along the way, she never gives up; she will always persevere and be triumphant at the end along with those who put their trust in her. Even when “the earth was flooded, Wisdom saved it” (Wis 10:4), or “when the nations were sunk in universal wickedness … She rescued a righteous man from among the wicked who were being destroyed” (Wis 10:5-6), or even when God’s people were oppressed “She took them across the Red Sea and brought them through the deep waters” (Wis 10:18).

As our global predicament worsens each day, forcing several societies to recourse to nationwide lockdowns due to the second wave of COVID-19 infections, may we learn to emulate Lady Wisdom’s traits in our lives: vigilant in following government measures to help minimize viral spread, virtuous in our spiritual character amidst loneliness and suffering, and valiant in fighting to continue to hope and to survive despite the uncertainties of our future.

- Rex Fortes, CM