PRICELESS WISDOM - B: 28th Sun in Ord Time

First Reading: Wis 7:7-11 (10 October 2021)

“I loved her more than health and beauty, and I chose to have her rather than light, because her radiance never ceases” (Wis 7:10).

Wisdom is described in today’s first reading as a priceless possession that surpasses the worth of any treasure on earth. This positive portrayal of wisdom—phronēsis in Greek—is not merely a rhetorical speech. Accordingly, we know in the biblical stories that King Solomon was well sought by all, not because of his wealth and power, but on account of his profound wisdom (cf. 1 Kgs 10:23). In fact, even “the queen of Sheba had observed all the wisdom of Solomon” (v. 4), prompting her to exclaim in admiration, “The report was true that I heard in my own land of your accomplishments and of your wisdom... Happy are your wives! Happy are these your servants, who continually attend you and hear your wisdom!” (vv. 6, 8).

Yet, it should be noted that Solomon’s wisdom was not inherent to him at birth. Rather, it was a gift that he sought and prayed for. When given the chance to request anything from God, Solomon intently asked for wisdom, uttering, “Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, able to discern between good and evil; for who can govern this your great people?” (1 Kgs 3:9). God was so pleased with this prayer that he immediately gave the king “a wise and discerning mind” (v. 10) on top of his “riches and honor” (v. 13).

In sum, “God gave Solomon great wisdom, discernment, and breadth of understanding as the sand on the seashore, so that Solomon’s wisdom of all the people of the east, and all the wisdom of Egypt” (1 Kgs 4:9-10). But the critical event that brought him this exalted status was his iconic judgment on the case of two women, who were arguing on the true owner of a surviving infant (cf. 1 Kgs 3:16-27). Solomon wisely awarded the child to the true mother, effectually turning all Israel to stand “in awe of the king, because they perceived that the wisdom of God was in him, to execute justice” (v. 28).

All were fully convinced that he was a wise king.

In light of Solomon’s story and the Sage’s message in the Book of Wisdom, one can see three basic characteristics of wisdom, viz., godly, greed-free, and good-doer. First is godly: Wisdom is a gift of God. It is something prayed for and readily given to those who humbly seek it. The Sage affirms this reality with the words: “I called on God, and the spirit of wisdom came to me” (Wis. 7:7). Second is greed-free: Wisdom necessitates a shunning away from material wealth. Such a grace cannot exist simultaneously in a person filled with avarice, covetousness, and worldly ambitions. For this reason, the Sage adjudges it to be superior than “any priceless gem, because all gold is but a little sand in her sight, and silver will be accounted as clay before her” (v. 9). Third is good-doer: Wisdom entails the performance of a just decision and rightful action amid unpopularity.

The Sage grasps this lesson well as he gratefully acknowledges, “All good things came to me along with her, and in her hands uncounted wealth” (v. 11).

We, hence, esteem individuals who exemplify wisdom in their lives. We commend, for example, the journalist Maria Ressa (Nobel Peace Prize 2021) for speaking boldly against the merciless killings of drug-suspects in the Philippines. May the Filipino people, in response, choose leaders who display true wisdom in their good governance and respect for human life.

- Rex Fortes, CM