Monday, January 26, 2004
Translation of the Relics of Theodore the Studite
Kellia: Wisdom 6:12-16 Epistle: 1 Peter 2:21-3:9 Gospel: St. Mark 12:13-17
Wisdom 6:12-16, especially vs. 16, "...she goes about seeking those
worthy of her, and she graciously appears to them in their paths, and meets them in every
thought." In Proverbs 3:13-16, Wisdom is revealed as a treasure unequaled to anything one
might desire. However, as St. Maximos the Confessor observes, this greatest of all possible
attainments lies far beyond the reach of the majority who still are wandering in "the mists of
ignorance," corrupting themselves with "the dust of sin" - Wisdom's possibility is never
discerned. Should we then consider Wisdom beyond us, a hopeless ideal far from our reach
because of our own ignorance and sin? Today's reading counters all such despair with a firm
message of encouragement. Wisdom is revealed as active and gracious, One Who is seeking
"those who love her," and we are assured, she will be "found by those who seek her" (vs. 12).
Let us be encouraged about the possibility of finding Wisdom, for God the Word Who is Wisdom
Incarnate, has permanently joined Himself to us, having taken on our flesh. We seek One Who
has joined forces with us. With the coming of Christ, mankind's healing of has become
"theandric," as Metropolitan Hierotheos Vlachos says. Salvation now is synergistic, "not the
work of man alone or of God alone. The two must work together.... At first, the grace of Christ
must be given.... But when [one] receives the grace of Christ, he is freed from this old world, the
world of sin.... Only those who live in Christ, are released from the flesh and the lust of the
flesh." For those who "live in Christ," the task is to crucify "the flesh with its passions and
desire. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit" (Gal. 5:24, 25).
"Synergy in the search for Wisdom" is the message of this reading. Notice first: Wisdom
"hastens to make herself known to those who desire her" (Wis. 6:13); "she goes about seeking
those worthy of her...." (vs. 16). Do you hear how this word foreshadows the Gospel? "For
when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly" (Rom 5:6). The
initiative in the relationship of man and God is taken by God. Incarnate Wisdom hastened to us
and hastens to us still - to stir up our desire for Him, to provide the grace and strength we need to
reach Him, and to walk with us on the path of suffering, which is required for following Him.
For our part, active response is required. Listen to the Teacher of Wisdom: "He who rises early"
and fixes his "thoughts on her...and he who is vigilant on her account" (Wis. 6:14, 15) is
promised the rewards of finding Wisdom, gaining understanding, and overcoming the cares of
this present life through the power of Wisdom. "Rising early" signals the necessity for discipline
in the life in Christ. A plan for prayer and a jealously guarded time to pray and read must be
developed and maintained. When the Teacher of Wisdom says to "fix one's thoughts" on
Wisdom, he sets the stage for taking up the Jesus prayer as a means for developing, extending,
and deepening a bond with Christ Jesus our Savior. "For no other foundation can anyone lay
than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ" (1 Cor. 3:11).
We surely can count on God to do His part, and if we are vigilant in ours, Wisdom will
"graciously appear" to us in our paths, and meet us "in every thought" (Wis. 6:16). In these
phrases Solomon delineates the two results of working with God to find Wisdom: "in our paths"
suggests that we can expect Wisdom to appear in our decisions and actions; "meets in every
thought" refers to the revolution which Wisdom brings about in one's thinking and perception.
As we "tarry [in prayer with the Lord] until [we] are endued with power from on high" (Lk.
24:49), we shall know Wisdom's vision of the world and be able to live and act as befits Him.
O come, Thou Wisdom from on high, and teach us to walk in the ways of true knowledge.
