Toward Wisdom

20May
Happy are those who find wisdom,
  and those who get understanding,
for her income is better than silver,
  and her revenue better than gold.
She is more precious than jewels,
  and nothing you desire can compare with her.
Long life is in her right hand;
  in her left hand are riches and honor.
Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
  and all her paths are peace.
She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her;
  those who hold her fast are called happy.
- Proverbs 3:13-18


Several years ago, Maria Elliott asked me to write one of the devotions. I was extremely intimidated by the thought of expressing my personal thoughts about scripture. Writing for so many people was something I had never done before, and I wasn’t sure I would have anything to say that others might like to read. But Maria has a way of encouraging me to do things outside my comfort zone and think deeply about scripture and my spirituality. She also encourages me in a way that makes the process seem less daunting. As Maria said to me about the devotions, “Some of us just need someone to start their day with the words “Good morning, beloved.” making me not worry so much about the gravity of what I was writing. 


Maria is also my EFM mentor. Our focus in EFM this year is “Living as Spiritually Mature Christians.” This year's first reading challenged our group to live authentically as an adult Christian moving from a naive child-like Christian to a more mature commitment to reading and processing the Bible. The author of the piece stated, “...moving from spiritually childish to spiritually adult ways proceeds towards a goal that is striven for but never fully attained.” Many times the meaning a biblical passage for the devotions seems just beyond my reach or I strive for the meaning and it seems to elude me. As I read and study the passage more carefully and meditate on the way to best express my feelings in the devotion, I can feel God moving me in a direction that will benefit me and others while pushing me towards the spiritual maturity I am striving for. I feel a great sense of gratitude that I can contribute to the Trinity community in such a meaningful way for me and for others moving towards a greater shared wisdom and understanding of our God. 


Musical Reflection - Jesu the very Thought of Thee - arranged by Paul Halley


The blessing of these years is that we find ourselves at a time of life when we can finally concentrate on all the things we have ever wanted to learn and know and, as a result become an even more important, more focused, more spiritual person than we have ever really been before. For this with give our thanks. Amen.


-Sr. Joan Chittister, The Gift of Years

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