Proverbs 9:1-6 Lady Wisdom Gives a Dinner Party (Translation from The Message)
Lady Wisdom has built and furnished her home; it’s supported by seven hewn timbers. The banquet meal is ready to be served: lamb roasted, wine poured out, table set with silver and flowers. Having dismissed her serving maids, Lady Wisdom goes to town, stands in a prominent place, and invites everyone within sound of her voice. “Are you confused about life, don’t know what’s going on? Come with me, oh come, have dinner with me! I’ve prepared a wonderful spread – fresh-baked bread, roast lamb, carefully selected wines. Leave your impoverished confusion and live! Walk up the street to a life with meaning.” (First Reading from Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time)
“The most extended biblical instance of female imagery of the Spirit occurs in the wisdom literature where the Spirit’s functions are depicted as acts of Woman Wisdom . . . The biblical portrait of Wisdom is consistently female, casting her as sister, mother, female beloved, chef and hostess, teacher, preacher, maker of justice and host of other women’s roles.” (Elizabeth A. Johnson)
In our reading, Wisdom is personified as a gracious and wise woman who is a “hostess with the mostest.” She has built a house, prepared a feast, and invites guests to come and enjoy the party. She even invites them to walk with her up the street, which will in turn give meaning and purpose to their lives. All are welcome at her dinner party! Besides, is it not at the kitchen table, the corner table in the pub, the table at the anniversary, wedding or funeral, that the stories, memories, and wise insights are shared between and among one another?
In the history of Christianity, a number of wisdom women have left their mark upon us – their stories, their songs, and prayers for all generations, so as to invite us to the “wisdom table” to eat our fill of new knowledge, understanding, compassion, and insight about the presence of Holy Mystery – the God Who Is – and to have us continue to seek a life of meaning, and to give it away in service for the least, the last, and the lost!
Over this past month, there has been the preparation for the LCWR gathering. The news media has filled our TVs and “iScreens” with stories and pictures that made me want to shout TMI! But the movement to the gathering, much like Lady Wisdom in Proverbs, was one of gentle walking through the streets with a circle of sagacious sisters who once again claimed their truth, their mission, their purpose. They have been the bread of generosity and the wine of authenticity – feeding all who hunger- putting the needs of others before their own - truly women of integrity, women of prophetic voice, and women of deep contemplation.
So let us stand together and be grateful for the grace of Wisdom in our lives, as we pray:
“Holy Wisdom and Creative Mystery - Awaken and attune to Wisdom’s Voice ever with you in the heart-womb; wise are those who hear, who surrender to Her Call. A question arises: What can I do to render back to Love gratitude beyond words? An answer is heard: Become the bread of Life, kneaded thoroughly until pliant in the Hands of Love: Nourishment for hungry souls waiting to be filled, so that they, too, become the bread of Life for others. . . And may you ever be blessed by Beauty: the song of Songs within your heart.” (from Lumen Christi – Holy Wisdom by Nan C. Merrill)
The Wisdom of Juliana of Norwich
The Wisdom of Hildegard of Bingen
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