A reflection on the gift of wisdom and its relevance to setting the right priorities.
Have you ever found yourself in a situation where everything feels complicated, and no matter how hard you try, the solution seems elusive? I’ve been there, feeling lost at a crossroads, unsure of which path to take. In moments like these, I’ve turned to someone whose discernment I trust, seeking advice. Often, their words have brought clarity, making me realize that the situation wasn’t as complicated as it seemed—I simply lacked the wisdom to see the way forward. It’s truly remarkable how wisdom, this divine gift, can transform the seemingly bleak future into a clear path.
I’ve been on both sides of this experience, sometimes needing wisdom and other times offering guidance. When you encounter someone truly wise, their words resonate deeply. Their calm presence brings a sense of peace, almost as if divine wisdom speaks through them with the calming voice of confidence. Knowing that wisdom is there to guide us is a comforting feeling.
Is Wisdom a Learned Skill?
The everyday description of wisdom is that it is a skill developed through experience, education, relationships, and networking. This view relates to a common understanding of wisdom in our dictionaries. The Oxford English Dictionary, for example, defines wisdom as “the ability to make sensible decisions and give good advice because of the experience and knowledge that you have.”
At first glance, this definition seems comprehensive. As I hinted earlier, we often associate wisdom with life experience and practical knowledge. However, the Christian understanding of wisdom goes beyond the above description.
Wisdom isn’t merely an acquired skill or talent—it is a divine gift granted by the Holy Spirit. For Christians, wisdom isn’t just a concept; it is embodied in the person of Christ. The dwelling of God in our lives is the outpouring of wisdom. We are as wise as we let God inspire our thoughts and decisions.
Biblical Insights on Wisdom
In the prophecy of Isaiah 11:2-3, wisdom is listed as one of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. The passage introduces wisdom as a gift emerging from the lineage of Jesse: “A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots” (Isaiah 11:1). This refers to the Messiah, Christ.
In his prayer for wisdom in the Book of Wisdom, King Solomon identifies wisdom as a person who sits with God, equal to God: “Give me the wisdom that sits by your throne” (Wisdom 9:4).
The New Testament makes this even more apparent. The Gospel of John opens with, “In the beginning was the Logos, and the Logos was with God, and the Logos was God” (John 1:1). Here, ‘Logos’ is commonly translated as ‘word,’ but it also conveys the meaning of ‘wisdom’ or ‘reason.’ Later, John reveals, “The Logos became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14), referring to Jesus Christ. This passage suggests that Christ, as the Logos, is divine wisdom.
Wisdom as Personified
Therefore, in the Christian tradition, wisdom is more than abstract knowledge; it is the very person of the Christ. Wisdom flows from God and is given to believers through the Holy Spirit. It is a gift, not something we can earn, but what we receive if we ask for it, just as Solomon did when he prayed, “I prayed, and understanding was given to me; I called upon God, and the spirit of wisdom came to me” (Wisdom 7:7). The accessibility of wisdom through prayer empowers us and strengthens our connection with God.
Prayer is the communicative act that connects one’s entire being with God. Through this relationship, God’s outpouring fills the person who prays with thoughts and sentiments. These, in turn, shape their priorities and guide them to navigate daily lives and events correctly. Because they are connected with divine wisdom, they become wise too.
The Letter to the Hebrews illustrates how God’s Word penetrates all and reveals the hidden, as everything is exposed before it (Hebrews 12:12-13). Those attuned to God’s Wisdom can also penetrate life’s complexities, recognizing patterns through a divine perspective. Thus, in a heart where the divine Word and whispers reside, decisions and advice are guided by wisdom.
The Nature of Wisdom
So, what exactly is this gift of wisdom? It is the ability to see things from God’s perspective. Also, it is the gift that helps us penetrate life’s mysteries and understand the right order of creation. Wisdom allows us to prioritize our lives according to God’s will. When we receive the gift of wisdom, we align our hearts with God’s desires. His priorities become our priorities, and what displeases the Lord displeases us.
Wisdom helps us make decisions that reflect divine order and leads us on the right path. For example, when faced with a career choice, wisdom can guide us to consider not just financial gains but also how the job aligns with our values and God’s purpose for us. Through wisdom, we come to know God’s will, and this knowledge shapes our desires and actions. Wisdom becomes a habit of the soul, guiding our intellect and aligning our will with God’s purpose for us.
Wisdom and Wealth
Similarly, wisdom helps us understand the true value of wealth. Without wisdom, we might view wealth as an end in itself. But with wisdom, we recognize wealth as a means to a more excellent end—one that serves not just ourselves but others, the greater good. The wise use wealth as stewards, sharing it generously because they know it’s a blessing to bless others.
Consider the story of the rich young man in Mark 10:17-30, as an example. The young man approaches Jesus, eager to learn how to attain eternal life. Despite his good deeds and religious devotions, he lacks a few essential things, one of which is wisdom.
Although he has kept the commandments all his life, he has not fully grasped the purpose of his wealth. As Pope John Paul II mentions in “Veritatis Splendor” (The Splendor of Truth, 1993), the man knew what to avoid but lacked understanding of the good he should do—the way of love. Jesus invites him to sell his possessions and follow Him.
It is akin to Jesus asking a social media influencer, who earns substantial income online, to abandon their revenue stream and dedicate their life to discipleship. This would mean giving up some tools they view as essential to their personal brand. Would you do it if you were in their place?
Wisdom and Detachment
The rich young man couldn’t detach himself from his riches—many of us can’t. Also, he didn’t see his wealth as an opportunity to demonstrate love and service. The struggle is not seeing the way God sees, and therefore, not deciding the way God would.
This story illustrates how God perceives things differently from us. It reveals that wisdom allows us to view wealth not as an end, but as a means to serve others and fulfill God’s will. The saying “as we think, so we act” highlights that our actions mirror our thoughts. A person who possesses wisdom, acts wisely, because their thoughts are rich in divine ways of seeing and judging.
Jesus’ words, “How hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God” (Mark 10:24), emphasize that attachment to wealth can blind us to its true purpose. It takes wisdom to see wealth through God’s eyes and recognize it as a tool for good rather than an obstacle to eternal life.
In this story, Jesus teaches that wisdom leads to humility and detachment, qualities necessary for entering the kingdom of God. Like a camel passing through the eye of a needle, following God’s path requires great effort—humility, detachment, and wisdom.
As we reflect on the gift of wisdom, let us ask for this grace in our lives. Let us pray, “Lord, let your wisdom guide us and work alongside us.” Amen.
[Meditations on the 28th Sunday Ordinary Time B: Wisdom 7:7-11; Hebrew 4:12-13; Mark 10:17-30]
