Wisdom

St. Matthew 13:54-58 (7/28) Gospel for Monday of the Seventh
Week after Pentecost

Wisdom: St. Matthew 13:54-58, especially vs. 54: "'Where did this Man get
this wisdom and these mighty works?'" The people of Nazareth who asked this
question had lived beside Jesus from his childhood, and, rather than being
enlightened by Him, they remained spiritually blind. They thought He was
merely imitating the learned scribes, for His neighbors knew He had not
spent years studying the Holy Scriptures, but rather that He worked in
Joseph's carpentry shop. Thus, instead of respecting His wisdom, they were
offended by Him (vs. 57). Still, their question is worthy of a reply, for
revealing the truth about Him and to refute their "disclaimers" (vss. 55,
56).

For Christians, the Lord Jesus is God's Wisdom Incarnate. Thus, at each
celebration of the Divine Liturgy, during the "Little Entrance," the Priest
or Deacon who bears the Gospel Book stops before the Royal Doors elevates
the Book of the Gospels, and says, "Wisdom! Stand upright!" Understand:
the Gospel Book is a major icon of our Lord Himself, Holy Wisdom. Like all
icons, the Gospel Book serves as a vehicle of Christ's actual presence among
the Faithful. For this reason, as the Gospel Book passes through the Royal
Doors, the Faithful sing out, "O come let us worship and fall down before
Christ. Save us, O Son of God, Who art risen from the dead, who sing unto
Thee: Alleluia!"

Again, in the icon of "Christ the Teacher "- the icon regularly found to the
right of the Royal Doors - the Lord is manifest as true Wisdom teaching the
faithful. As He is shown blessing us with His right hand, He holds the
Gospel Book in His left hand, offering to all who will receive Him, both
Himself and all He teaches - Holy Wisdom.

May God save us from familiarity like the people of Nazareth lest we mistake
Jesus and His life-saving words as mere human phenomena and miss finding
divine Wisdom in Him. The actions and objects, reverently set before us in
the Liturgy, command our attention: "Awake, you who sleep, arise from the
dead, and Christ will give you light" (Eph. 5:14). Listen not casually to
the words of the Prayers and of Scripture that are read, but rather behold
Christ and heed Holy Wisdom Himself speaking to you. Familiarity can
stealthily kill your spirit or mine. Resist inattention and routine so as
not to fall into the error of those in Nazareth who "saw in shadows and
perceived not that gloom which obscured the Law and hid from them Him that
had made by His Word both Sabbath and light" (from the Praises of Orthros).

The Lord Jesus' words in this passage warn us: "A prophet is not without
honor except in his own country and in his own house" (Mt. 13:57). Are not
the Temples into which we come on the Lord's Day on land dedicated to God,
land that is "His own country;" and are not our communities who gather there
"the household of God" (Eph. 2:19)? Be attentive!

In many cultures, "wisdom" is understood as the highest expression of
"human" experience, character, counsel, and sound advice. Often wisdom, as
such, has included man's highest ideals such as truth, justice, and other
concepts that under gird an orderly universe. However, in the Icons,
Liturgy, and Scriptures of Orthodox Christianity, God reveals Wisdom to be
the Person of the Incarnate God, Jesus Christ. He expects that we who are
in covenant with Him should be icons of Him as Wisdom practically - in
worship and in our daily living.

Finally, consider contemporary culture that draws its dynamic from
philosophies that assume human, intellectual knowledge to be the highest
wisdom. Let us not, like the savants of this culture, be caught in the trap
of treating Christ and His wisdom as mere history or information. True
Wisdom is not theories or concepts, but Jesus Christ, the Wisdom of God.

O Christ our God, Wisdom manifest, enable us to serve Thee worthily and
wisely.