Proverbs 8:22-31, Psalm 8:4-9, Romans 5:1-5, John 16:12-15
Written after the return from the exile in Babylon, the Wisdom books contain the practical knowledge of both the Israelites and the peoples around them, accumulated over two thousand years. Wisdom is the art of living a life at peace with God and with other people. It was developed by reflecting on the great questions: life, death, suffering, love, evil, relationships. It was seen to be a universal guide for living, and so given by God. So Wisdom came to be seen as a person – the caring, feminine side of God, existing from all eternity. In today’s reading from Proverbs Wisdom speaks of sharing God’s delight in His work at the beginning of creation.
The Psalm expresses our amazement at the dignity the infinite God has given to mankind’s finite nature in his wonderful creation.
In his letter to the Romans Paul insists that being justified, or made “at peace” with God, means that our previous alienation from God is overcome. God’s love “poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit” has brought us into an intimate relationship with God, but we confidently hope in a more glorious intimacy in the future.
No wonder Jesus says in John’s Gospel “I have yet many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now”. The Spirit gives us understanding.
Psalm Response: How great is your name, O Lord our God, through all the earth.