Wisdom

We happen to live in the Information Age, with more people having access to more information than ever before in the history of the world.

It is not a total success.

Indeed, people talk about “too much information” and “information overload.”

And too often, people use all this information for selfish and hurtful purposes.

The problem, it is often said, is the difference between information and knowledge on the one hand and wisdom on the other.

We may have terabytes of information and knowledge, but too little wisdom.

But what is wisdom? It is more than just intelligence.

Today’s first reading (James 3:13-18) gives us a wonderful guide for discerning wisdom and experiencing its benefits.

Who among you is wise and understanding?
Let him show his works by a good life
in the humility that comes from wisdom.

Wisdom goes hand-in-hand with a good life. Not only does a good life of good works demonstrate wisdom, wisdom itself moves naturally into good action. Truly knowing the good inexorably draws one to do the good.

One might also see that, in some ways, the reverse is also true: that we, as creatures of flesh and spirit, in some ways can grow in wisdom by good action – by doing good, we grow in our knowing of the good.

Also, true wisdom makes one humble. The wise man knows that his knowledge and his wisdom are limited.

This is definitely not the wisdom we see in the world today (sometimes not even in the Christian blogsphere).

But if you have
bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts,
do not boast and be false to the truth.
Wisdom of this kind does not come down from above
but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist,
there is disorder and every foul practice.

Instead of wisdom, both on the right and on the left, we too often have isolated bits of information used as weapons - sometimes with a smattering of erudition or the murmuring of the cognoscenti - to advance individuals and causes rather than truth, charity, and the common good.

But the wisdom from above
is first of all pure,
then peaceable,
gentle,
compliant,
full of mercy
and (full of) good fruits,
without inconstancy
(without) insincerity.

This is the wisdom that we should seek to have and to share: all of us – bloggers or readers, commenters or lurkers, ministers or laity – in cyberspace, in the workplace, in our homes and in our churches.

This is the wisdom that we should seek to have and to share – the wisdom that comes from above – the wisdom that comes to us by the grace of the Holy Spirit through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

This is the wisdom that we should seek to have and to share – the wisdom of God.

And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace
for those who cultivate peace.