I have been reading the Wisdom of Solomon the last little while, and absolutely loving it. It was written somewhere around the turn of the first millennium, likely in the middle of the first century BCE. Everyone agrees it wasn’t actually written by Solomon, though it clearly invokes the imagery of Proverbs. Its place in the Bible has been disputed since the earliest days of the church, often considered scripture but sometimes called apocryphal.
Wisdom is another name for the logos, and therefore she is a feminine expression of Christ who is found in both scripture and tradition. You can read one of my previous essays about that HERE. Wisdom as the second person of the Trinity is an essential part of my trinitarian metaphysics, inspired by the work of John Scotus Eriugena.
What follows is a piece of creative writing that emerged out of my encounter with the Wisdom of Solomon lectio divina. In the second half, I paraphrase sections of the text in my own words, piecing together various tidbits in new ways. I have also included some stuff from Paul, who may well have been familiar with the Wisdom of Solomon, using it as inspiration for his own thought and teachings.
It is also the continuation of an essay and accompanying liturgy I wrote during Advent about kenosis, which you can find HERE. I have been using the liturgy daily (mostly lol) for a couple months now and have continued to tweak it on the website as it has grown. It has just now been updated once again, and includes the prayer found at the end of this article.
The crucifixion is only the beginning, the true miracle of Easter is the resurrection. We do not take up our cross out of masochism or self loathing. Rather, we follow Jesus on the path to resurrection and new life. To die to ourselves is to be born again, the end of one is the beginning of the other. When we die to ourselves, we uncover our true nature as the image of God, secretly waiting for us in depths of divine mystery. To be raised with Christ is to share his mind, uniting our finite perceptions with his infinite wisdom. Paul described this when he said,
“So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.” (Colossians 3:1-4 NRSVUE)
Those who lose their lives for the gospel will save them. Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains a single seed. When it sprouts, everything it was is lost – but new life emerges from it. Just as we die with Christ, so too are we raised with him. When Christ is revealed, we become like him, for we see him as he is. All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.
When you were a child, you spoke like a child and thought like a child. When you became an adult, you outgrew many things that were once dear to you. In the same way, you must outgrow your current frame of mind before you can become wise, for the saint is to the adult as the adult is to the child. In the liturgy I mentioned above, the Prayer for Wisdom follows after the Litany of Kenosis, so that we can be filled after we are emptied.
Growth in wisdom is the path to salvation, not only for individuals, but for the whole world. When the multitude of the human race seeks after Wisdom as one, we will overcome all injustice and no longer be ruled by greedy and envious men. I have written about this idea from the perspective of the Celtic penitential tradition HERE. It is also found in the Wisdom of Solomon,
“I will tell you what wisdom is and how she came to be, and I will hide no secrets from you, but I will trace her course from the beginning of creation and make knowledge of her clear, and I will not pass by the truth, nor will I travel in the company of sickly envy, for envy does not associate with wisdom. The multitude of the wise is the salvation of the world, and a sensible king is the stability of any people. Therefore be instructed by my words, and you will profit.” (Wisdom of Solomon 6:22-25 NRSVUE)
Wisdom is a kindly spirit, the witness of our innermost feelings, the true observer of our thoughts. She communicates the secret purposes of God, the path of holiness, the joy of a pure heart. Beauty and goodness follow wherever she goes, for she is the Mother of Truth.
She is more radiant than the sun, excelling every constellation of the stars, a reflection of eternal light, a spotless mirror of the working of God. Those who walk in her ways have no need of lamps, for the light of Christ shines within them.
She is the power of God breathed into the world, a pure and radiant emanation of the One. She is singular in her essence, yet she penetrates all the diversity of creation, accomplishing all things in simplicity. Remaining within herself, she pours forth from the depths, renewing the whole of creation. She flows more freely than any river and dances more gracefully than any breeze, coursing through all consciousness. With each passing generation, she fills the souls of those who pursue her, making them into prophets and friends of God.
If we are vigilant in our search for her, she pursues us from the ends of the earth, graciously appearing all along our path, meeting us in every thought. When we gaze upon Wisdom with our inner eyes, fixing our attention on her alone, we become fully ourselves. We clothe our souls in love, binding everything together in perfect harmony.
The spirit of Wisdom is an unmistakable presence, irresistible for those with eyes to see. It makes us a lover of goodness, one who is curious, patient, humble, singular, manifold, subtle, creative, agile, clear, detached, connected, prudent, just, loving, powerful, sensitive, hospitable, temperate, calm, faithful, courageous, compassionate, and playful. Through her eyes, we see the unfolding of our lives from above, watching over them and blessing them.
O God of my ancestors, O Lord of mercy, who made all things through your Word and in your Wisdom has formed humankind, awaken within me the anointed one who sits by your throne, and count me among your children, for I am your humble servant, one who is weak and short-lived, with little understanding.
Wisdom is with you, she who knows your works and was by your side when you made the world. Send her forth from the heavens, that she may labour with me as I build your temple in my heart, a copy of the holy tent you prepared from the beginning. For she knows and understands all things and will guide me wisely in my actions, guarding me with the light of her glory.
In every age those who walked on the earth have been saved by her, their paths were made straight, and they learned to do what pleases you. Lord God, who heals and sanctifies, grant me the gift of discernment, for you are the source of Wisdom and the teacher of the wise.
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