< <  

Monday, February 12, 2024

  > >


James 1:1-11
Psalm 119:67-68, 71-72, 75-76
Mark 8:11-13

View Readings
Similar Reflections

“get wisdom” (prv 4:5)

“If any of you is without wisdom, let him ask it from the God Who gives generously and ungrudgingly to all, and it will be given him. Yet he must ask in faith.” —James 1:5-6

One of the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit is wisdom (Is 11:2; Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1831). God freely gives His wisdom if we ask Him for it. Yet we must ask God from a position of humility and faith (Jas 1:5-6). The Bible actually contains a book entitled Wisdom. There is even a section of the Bible called the Wisdom books, containing the books of Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, Wisdom, and Sirach. A wonderful way to seek God’s Wisdom is to spend time reading the Wisdom books.

The wisdom of man is foolishness to God (1 Cor 1:20). God’s ways are high above man’s ways (Is 55:8-9). “If any one of you thinks he is wise in a worldly way, he had better become a fool. In that way he will really be wise, for the wisdom of this world is absurdity with God” (1 Cor 3:18-19).

The young King Solomon humbly asked God for wisdom. “The Lord was pleased that Solomon made this request” (1 Kgs 3:10), and gave Solomon a wise and understanding heart (1 Kgs 3:12). Like Solomon, ask God in humble faith for wisdom.

A priest once gave a teaching on the topic of wisdom in the Bible. He began the teaching by saying, “This is God’s wisdom.” Then he turned and gazed for several moments upon the large crucifix mounted on the wall behind him. Jesus Christ crucified is “the wisdom of God” (1 Cor 1:24; see also 1 Cor 1:30; Catechism, 272). “Get wisdom” (Prv 4:5). 

Prayer:  Father, “give me Wisdom, the Attendant at Your throne” (Wis 9:4).

Promise:  “Realize that when your faith is tested this makes for endurance.” —Jas 1:3

Praise:  Jacob reads Bible stories to his children at dinner time. His sons’ favorite story is about King Solomon’s wisdom in judging his people (1 Kgs 3:16-28).

Reference:  (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)

Rescript:  "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for the publication One Bread, One Body covering the time period from February 1, 2024, through March 31, 2024. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio June 7, 2023"

The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.