Wisdom and Holiness

The desire for wisdom and holiness stems from deep within, a human longing as much a part of us as the instinct for survival, and as elusive as they may seem at times, the quest for them never ceases. When God proposes the ultimate reason for holiness, "Be holy for I, the Lord, your God am holy," (Lev. 19:2), he outlines the basics for achieving it. "You shall not bear hatred for your brother or sister in your heart. Though you may have to reprove your fellow citizen, do not incur sin because of him. Take no revenge and cherish no grudge against any of your people. You shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord." (Lev. 19: 17-18): two verses that challenge us to "go against the grain" but which will help us to "Be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect." (Mt 5: 48).
Wisdom comes with inviting the Holy Spirit to help us, for this is a roadmap that cannot be traveled alone. Pope Leo XIII wrote, "Whatever we are, that we are by the divine goodness; and this goodness is especially attributed to the Holy Spirit." God will fill any emptiness within us with the Spirit if we make room for him, if we empty our hearts of malice, if we "harden not our hearts." (Ps 95: 4). The gifts of the Spirit, "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self--control" (Gal 5: 22-24), will provide the wisdom we need to move step by step to the holiness described in Leviticus. Humility is one of the earmarks of Marist Spirituality that recognizes the need for wisdom and holiness. We therefore humbly pray, Come, Holy Spirit, fill what is lacking in us with your wisdom, with your gifts, with your holiness. Amen.

Bro .Rene