Wisdom is pure and never fades away, and is easily seen by those who love her and found by those who seek her. (Wis 6:12)
Λαμπρὰ καὶ ἀμάραντός ἐστιν ἡ σοφία καὶ εὐχερῶς θεωρεῖται ὑπὸ τῶν ἀγαπώντων αὐτὴν καὶ εὑρίσκεται ὑπὸ τῶν ζητούντων αὐτήν.
Clara est et, quae numquam marcescit, sapientia; et facile videtur ab his, qui diligunt eam, et invenitur ab his, qui quaerunt illam.
Wisdom (חָכְמָה ḥoḵmāh) from the root hkm, is the most characteristic term for “wisdom” in Hebrew (in Greek σοφία – sophia), among its synonyms such as daʽat – “knowledge”; bînah – “intelligence”; or “mûsar” – “education, formation”. The opposite of “wisdom” is “foolishness.” Wisdom in the Bible also means the ability to shape one’s life. In today’s first reading (Wisdom 6:12-16), “wisdom” is presented as something that a person can desire, seek, love, and know, because it comes to meet such people: “Whoever awakens early to seek her, will not labor, for he will find her sitting at his door” and “whoever remains watchful for her, will quickly be secure.” Those who seek wisdom will easily find her because she “meets them with all foresight.”
In the 25th chapter of his Gospel, the Evangelist Matthew presents a parable that the Lord Jesus told His disciples. This parable speaks of the wise or foolish attitude that a disciple of Jesus can adopt, seeking and striving to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. The heroines of the parable are virgins waiting for the groom to join in the wedding feast. They hold lamps that illuminate the darkness of the night. “Since the bridegroom was delayed, they all fell asleep, and they were sleeping.” The time of our life is similar to a night vigil, waiting for the coming of the Risen Lord. We often feel drowsy, but as Jesus’ parable shows, not everyone can afford a nap. Whoever carries a supply of “oil” in addition to a lamp may fall asleep, but whoever lacks it should look for it instead of sleeping. What’s the moral? It is wisdom to be well provided for so that it is not too late, because one thing is certain, sooner or later we will hear: “Behold, the groom is arriving. Go out to meet him.”
