St. Frances Xavier Cabrini was born in northern Italy in 1850. She became a school teacher, a religious, and founded the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart. As her order grew, she was encouraged to send sisters west to minister to immigrants in America. Along with her sisters, Mother Cabrini set-up schools, orphanages, and hospitals throughout America, as well as in Brazil, Nicaragua, Argentina and even England, France and Spain. She is fondly remembered as saying, “The Heart of Jesus does things in such a hurry that I can barely keep up with him.” She was canonized in 1946 by Pius XII. [1][2]
Catholic theology teaches that true wisdom is not merely human knowledge but a participation in God’s own perfect wisdom, which is found only through a relationship with Jesus Christ, who is Wisdom personified.
Wisdom is given to those who have a deep faith, charity of heart, those who seek the truth and to know God. Wisdom comes and allows us to see the truth and discern Gods ways. With his wisdom we can direct our lives and the world around us out of chaos and shape it to an order and structure that aligns with wisdom which Jesus personifies and brings to mankind. Wisdom has been described in many ways throughout scripture, and it can be tempting to try and categorize wisdom as an absolute. Wisdom is Jesus. Wisdom is knowing Gods truth and seeing as God sees. But wisdom also permeates all things in heaven and those on earth who live according to the way given us by Jesus Christ.
Whether we understand Wisdom in the scripture or not does not matter for if we seek communion with God, we seek wisdom. If we seek to see as God does so we can discern correctly and reorder our life, we seek Wisdom. Wisdom is subtle and flexible and passes through all things but will not reside in those who are not faithful or are destructive. Wisdom is the essence of truth and reveals all and answers all questions to those who in faith and charity and love, humble themselves to see and hear the truth.
In our Gospel, Jesus is displaying Wisdom to a very important question. A question we all wonder about. Some desperately seek the answer. When will the Kingdom of God come? Or when will the end times be when the battle is over and we are in the presence of God?
There are two answers. The Kingdom of God came into the world and began unfolding and spreading and permeating everywhere, when Jesus was conceived through the Holy Spirit. The Kingdom was like a locomotive building steam and speed when Jesus was born into the world and when he turned water into wine at the wedding in Cana it was accelerating full speed for his mission had begun.
And the Kingdom continues to expand into more hearts and lives and across the world. The Holy Spirit continues to bring Wisdom to minds and hearts. You don’t have to be highly intelligent or educated but have faith and love and strive with everything you have to grow closer to God.
Then Wisdom will come into your being and truth will be made clear. So the Kingdom is here, and God has a plan for each of us. A purpose singularly our own. If we fail to accept the calling to live the life God made us, it is like a light in a dark home is dimmed and it is felt throughout the Kingdom of God. We are like a fabric and when one thread tears it is felt across the weave. We must answer the call. Be faithful to Jesus Word which is wisdom. And let nothing get in our way. For wisdom can be ours right here and now and our path will be shown for us if we allow Jesus to lead us. And my friends, when we are riding on that train with Jesus as the engineer it is a wonderful journey in this life. That doesn’t mean it’s easy, but it is meaningful and blessed and full of joy and peace. We know when wisdom is within us, we know the answers.
But if we are not faithful and have not ensured our hearts and lives are not faithfully driven by and following the commandments to love God and others, the Spirit cannot abide in us and Wisdom will not enter.
Today, while we can do our part in this crazy world full of lost children We should do so. Later when the Kingdom of God is completely revealed at the coming of Jesus again, all will be revealed. The time no one knows and no one will foresee. It could be before I finish this reflection or before I kiss my wife again. It could be decades from now.
But we do know the kingdom is already here and growing and we have our responsibility and vocation to be part of the kingdom for ourselves and for others. Wisdom is doing the will of God and being faithful in all things.
St Cabrini had many struggles with illness and leaders but was committed to her part in the Kingdom. She said, “The Heart of Jesus does things in such a hurry that I can barely keep up with him.”
There are many things Jesus wants for us. There is much we have to do as our part and life. Ask Jesus for wisdom always and listen.
Deacon Tony Pynes 
Leave a comment