Seeking Wisdom

As November moves into full swing, with longer nights, falling leaves, cooler temperatures, and yes, even snow, we annually take stock of our lives in preparation for Advent. We remember the Holy Souls and the brevity of our lives reflected in the shortness of the day's light. The cycle of the year brings us to deeper realizations of what really matters in this life. This is called WISDOM...and it comes with age, experience, reflection. "Make us know the shortness of our life/that we may gain wisdom of heart," writes the Psalmist (Ps 90:12). We all look for it. Note that it is not simply intellectual knowledge, but that the heart is involved as well. The young seek it in their friends, in life outside the family and the familiar. We cringe that they will find it as we did, and not have to stray too far from what we have been trying to teach them. Our journeying with them, even if from a distance, also helps us grow in wisdom as we learn the limitations of our influence and ability to prevent or control. We learn, as St. Marcellin did, that love, patience, fidelity, presence, over time are what work. It takes us time to learn this, and often doubts enter in, tempting us to give up, or calling us to trust more in God. The road to wisdom is bumpy, dry, winding, and full of unexpected turns. When we remember that Wisdom is another name for God, particularly the Holy Spirit, then the quest becomes one of seeking and finding God, and loving God in total abandonment. "When you look for me, you will find me. Yes, when you seek me with all your heart." (Jer 29:13). "Those who love me I also love,/and those who seek me find me." (Prov 8:17). With such assurance from our loving God we can embrace with confidence the process of acquiring "wisdom of heart."
Bro. Rene