The God’s-eye view

In a world overflowing with information and conflict, we desperately need wisdom.

The source of ultimate wisdom, of course, is God.

But what is this wisdom of God?

People often talk about a "God’s-eye view" as if it were only from a great height looking down upon the whole world far below.

Today’s first reading (Wisdom 7:22b-8:1) gives us a very different understanding of the “God’s eye view” in an effusive canticle of praise for God’s wisdom.

God’s wisdom is not aloof, but active and involved. It is for this wisdom that we should pray.

In Wisdom is a spirit
intelligent, holy, unique,
manifold, subtle, agile,
clear, unstained, certain,
invulnerable, loving the good, keen,
unhampered, beneficent, kindly,
firm, secure, tranquil,
all-powerful, all-seeing,
And pervading all spirits,
though they be intelligent, pure and very subtle.

For Wisdom is mobile beyond all motion,
and she penetrates and pervades all things
by reason of her purity.

Yet, God’s wisdom – the wisdom for which we must pray – is also transcendent:

For she is a breath of the power of God
and a pure effusion of the glory of the Almighty;
therefore nought that is sullied enters into her.
For she is the refulgence of eternal light,
the spotless mirror of the power of God,
the image of his goodness.
And she, who is one, can do all things,
and while remaining in herself, renews everything.

God’s wisdom – the wisdom for which we must pray – also draws us ever closer to God in love.

And passing into holy souls from age to age,
she produces friends of God and prophets.
For there is nought God loves,
be it not one who dwells with Wisdom.

Whenever we feel confusion in our lives, we need to pray for this wisdom: the wisdom of God.

For Wisdom is fairer than the sun
and surpasses every constellation of the stars.
Compared to light, she takes precedence;
for indeed, night supplants light,
but wickedness prevails not over Wisdom.

Truly, Wisdom reaches from end to end mightily
and governs all things well.