The Wisdom of Righteousness

Prayer-Soldier · Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2020 6:14 pm Post subject: The Wisdom of Righteousness

The Wisdom of Righteousness

Scripture:

If you will keep the commandments and perform acceptable fidelity for ever, they shall preserve you. He has set water and fire before you: stretch forth your hand to which you will. Before man is life and death, good and evil, that which he shall choose shall be given him: For the wisdom of God is great, and he is strong in power, seeing all men without ceasing. The eyes of the Lord are towards them that fear him, and he knows all the work of man. He has commanded no man to do wickedly, and he has given no man license to sin. (Ben Sira 15:16-21 [Sirach 15:15-20])

How be it we speak wisdom among the perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, neither of the princes of this world that come to naught? But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, a wisdom which is hidden, which God ordained before the world, unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew. For if they had known it, they would never have crucified the Lord of glory. But, as it is written: That eye has not seen, nor ear heard: neither has it entered into the heart of man, what things God has prepared for them that love him. But to us God has revealed them by his Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yea, the deep things of God.
(1 Corinthians 2:6-10)

Do not think that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets. I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For amen I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot, or one tittle shall not pass of the law, till all be fulfilled. He therefore that shall break one of these least commandments, and shall so teach men shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven. But he that shall do and teach, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, that unless your justice abound more than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

You have heard that it was said to them of old: You shall not kill. And whosoever shall kill, shall be in danger of the judgment. But I say to you, that whosoever is angry with his brother, shall be in danger of the judgment. And whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council. And whosoever shall say, You fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. If therefore you offer your gift at the altar, and there you remember that your brother has anything against you; leave there your offering before the altar, and go first to be reconciled to your brother, and then coming you shall offer your gift. Be at agreement with your adversary quickly, while you are in the way with him: lest perhaps the adversary deliver you to the judge, and the judge deliver you to the officer, and you be cast into prison. Amen I say to you, you shall not go out from thence till you repay the last farthing.

You have heard that it was said to them of old: You shall not commit adultery. But I say to you, that whosoever shall look on a woman to lust after her, has already committed adultery with her in his heart. And if your right eye scandalize you, pluck it out and cast it from you. For it is expedient for you that one of your members should perish, rather than your whole body be cast into hell. And if your right hand scandalize you, cut it off, and cast it from you: for it is expedient for you that one of your members should perish, rather than that your whole body go into hell.

And it has been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a bill of divorce. But I say to you, that whosoever shall put away his wife, unless the marriage is unlawful, makes her to commit adultery: and he that shall marry her that is put away, commits adultery. Again you have heard that it was said to them of old, you shall not forswear yourself: but you shall perform your oaths to the Lord. But I say to you not to swear at all, neither by heaven for it is the throne of God: Nor by the earth, for it is his footstool: nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great king: Neither shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. But let your speech be yea, yea: no, no: and that which is over and above these, is of evil.
(Matthew 5:17-37)

Reflection:

Moses stood before the people and said to them, ?I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Choose life, then, that you and your descendants may live.? (Deuteronomy 30:19) He spoke this as he encouraged the people to follow the commandments of the Lord, for that to which they lead is goodness, but what comes when they are dismissed and ignored are the wages of misery and darkness.

If we examine His commandments, if we consider their purpose, we find they are placed before us as a blueprint by which we may live together and share the blessings of love and peace. They are our guides to what is right and just. They encourage us in how we may approach one another with humility, civility, dignity, and respect, so that as we work together, we may accomplish and share what is good.

We might wonder, how is it so many reject the wisdom of God's commandments? What is it which leads so many to believe that the coldness of heart shall bring warmth to the world? What is it which leads so many to believe that the ways of selfish desires will yield peace of heart when the fruits they produce are distrust, anxiety, conflict, misery, and hate? Is it that we are unable to perceive the fruits to which we are called by God, or is it that we simply cannot comprehend His wisdom?

We know the path to which He calls us; the path of righteousness; the path of charity and love. We know His commandments yield what is right and just. We cannot dispute the harm which is caused by sin. It is not victimless. Sin serves no noble purpose. Its fruits may appear appealing, but they are filled with bitter poisons. When we attempt to rationalize sin, we cannot camouflage its harm. Sin is the dark divide which serves to separate us from God and one another.

If this we can see, then, let us study His ways and allow His wisdom to lead us. Let us allow Him to guide us in our choices so we may help yield the good fruit of charity and share the blessings of His love. Let us allow Him to deliver us from our selfishness and lusts so we may put away the darkness and spread the warmth of the Light sent to the world. (cf. John 1:1-5) Let us encourage one another as we travel His joyful path. Let us open our hearts in prayer and allow Him to fill us with the blessings of His love.

Questions for further reflection:

Who do we trust to lead and guide us in our purpose and our choices?

To whom do we turn to teach us and mold us so we may grow in righteous wisdom and understanding?

What trust may others place in our commitment to what is right and just?

May the peace and blessings of the Lord be with you always,
Prayer Soldier