• About The Sophia Center

The Sophia Center for Spirituality

~ Spanning the denominations in NY's Southern Tier

The Sophia Center for Spirituality

Tag Archives: Proverbs

The World We Live In

25 Tuesday Sep 2018

Posted by thesophiacenterforspirituality in Uncategorized

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

balance, eyes, guide, hear, hearts, Jesus, Luke, Matthew, news, pray, Proverbs, psalm 119, The Sophia Center for Spirituality

aheadlinesSometimes it’s difficult to know what to say in this complex and over-stimulating world  in which we now live. This morning as I was considering the lectionary readings one by one I kept getting interrupted with news flashes. It went something like this:

“All the ways of a man may be right in his own eyes, but it is the Lord who proves hearts.” (PRV 21:2) -> -> Major problems with New Yorker’s second Kavanaugh accuser…

“Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.” (PS 119:35) -> -> How today’s multi-cultural couples are making their wedding ceremonies uniquely their own.

“Blessed are those who hear the word of the Lord and keep it.” (LK 11:28) -> -> U.N to caution against populism as world leaders convene for the annual summit.

“Jesus said to them in reply, ‘My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it.'” -> -> Former priest extradited to face child sexual abuse charges blamed cancer, prosecutors say.

I’m not saying there is any direct connection between the Scripture quotes and the specific news headlines. My point is to remind myself that no matter how bad or disturbing or confusing, or even wonderful (should that also be the case) the news is, it needs to be balanced with the basic premise of Scripture, repeated in several ways this morning, and that we need to look deeply into our hearts and minds to assess what we see and hear happening in the world. When it gets to be “all too much,” there’s that other piece of advice that comes to mind, i.e. “Go into your inner room, close the door and pray…” (MT 6:6)

 

 

 

 

 

Proverbs

20 Tuesday Sep 2016

Posted by thesophiacenterforspirituality in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Book of Proverbs, cry of the poor, diligent, eyes, haste, hear, hearts, Lord, poverty, Proverbs, The Sophia Center for Spirituality

apoorpersonI don’t often think about the biblical Book of Proverbs but this morning I was reacquainted with how pithy and sensible – and sometimes wry or ironic – they are. Here are a couple from chapter 21 that appear this morning and are worth more than a passing glance.

  1. All the ways of a man may be right in his own eyes, but it is the Lord who proves hearts.
  2. To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
  3. The plans of the diligent are sure of profit, but all rash haste leads certainly to poverty.
  4. Whoever makes a fortune by a lying tongue is chasing a bubble over deadly snares.
  5. He who shuts his ear to the cry of the poor will himself also call and not be heard.

 

 

 

 

 

Diving Deep

16 Sunday Aug 2015

Posted by thesophiacenterforspirituality in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

article of faith, Christianity, Ephesians, Eucharist, Jesus, John, one, Paul, Proverbs, psalm 34, remain, Taste and See, The Sophia Center for Spirituality, the will of God, wisdom, wisdom of knowing

eucharistHaving just seen the ocean from a distance and longing to dive right in – one of my favorite metaphors for going deeper into mystery – I was drawn by the first line of the first reading to the topic of Wisdom this morning. Staying on the surface, taking things literally, does not allow us to understand the depths of things, perhaps especially when we are speaking of faith.

When Proverbs (9:1-6) tells us that Wisdom has built herself a house, we know that it would be impossible for a concept, an abstract characteristic, to accomplish such an architectural feat. So the author reminds us to forsake foolishness that you may live; advance in the way of understanding, and in this case that is easily done. Not so easy with the psalm refrain that sings (for the second time recently): Taste and see the goodness of the Lord. (PS 34) Paul is right there with advice about how to deal with that one as he says to the Ephesians (5:15-20) Watch carefully how you live, not as foolish persons but as wise…Do not continue in ignorance, but try to understand what is the will of God.

All of that is preamble to the crux of the message in this morning’s Scripture readings. It is John’s gospel that contains more of the “hard sayings” than the others, and the hardest of all is perhaps what we hear this morning (JN 6:51-58). Jesus says that whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life…whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in them. Theologians have wrestled with this “article of faith” throughout the history of Christianity and belief in interpretation varies, but I’m thinking this morning of how shocking it must have been for those crowds of people who were listening to those words spoken for the first time by Jesus – probably most of them having no concept of metaphor or any way to understand what is obviously a deeper truth than the surface meaning.

It is the word remain that is the touchstone for me as I participate in Eucharistic liturgies and trust that something of Christ’s life remains in my spirit as the Eucharistic species are assimilated into my body. The more conscious I become about that truth, the more I will understand what Jesus was talking about on that shocking, long ago day. Then, and only then, will I be transformed, forsaking the foolishness that says I am separated from others and coming to trust the wisdom of knowing that we are all one, as Jesus knew and lived, and lives still in us.

A Little Kindness

30 Monday Mar 2015

Posted by thesophiacenterforspirituality in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Holy Week, Jesus, Mary, Proverbs, The Sophia Center for Spirituality, trust

maryperfumeIt must be that the dishwasher is full because there were only four mugs in the cupboard this morning – in addition to the smaller cups that hardly hold enough for a first cup for someone like me. I chose a pastel-colored one, a design that would not jar my sleepy head too much. As I sat down the sun appeared – first tentatively and then in blazing glory – across the river to tell me to take a breath into this new day. As I did, I saw the word TRUST emblazoned across the bottom of my cup, the kernel of God’s message to me which appeared above. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, it said, and lean not into your own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5) In a very small way, I think the happening in this gospel this morning – Mary pouring the anointing oil over Jesus in love – was a similarly encouraging message for what he faced in the coming week.

After the exhilaration of the ride into Jerusalem with people waving palm branches and shouting Hosanna in praise as he passed, Jesus needed to get away to find some quiet and, perhaps, deal with the anxiety of what he knew was gathering in sentiment from those who were not praising but rather plotting against him. Most likely exhausted from it all, he went to Bethany to be refreshed in the home of his friends. And Mary did not disappoint. Her extravagant gesture and loving touch, criticized by Judas because of the cost, was just what he needed to proceed with trust into what was to come.

Sometimes it doesn’t take much to get us back on track when things look bleak – or even when we’re just tired out from the happenings in our lives. Perhaps at the beginning of this week of remembrance and participation in the sufferings of Jesus, we might intend to look for things in the lives around us that need refreshment and do what we can to lighten their load with kindness. It might do more than we can imagine to restore their trust.

A Sticky Wicket

22 Monday Sep 2014

Posted by thesophiacenterforspirituality in Uncategorized

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

kind word, panhandlers, Proverbs, psalm 15, smile, The Sophia Center for Spirituality

panhandleIn both the first reading from Proverbs and the Psalm response this morning, I was confronted with references to the ever-present concern of God (and Jesus) for “my neighbor”. Proverbs told me to “refuse no one the good to which he has a claim,” saying not “‘Go and come again; tomorrow I will give,’ when you can give at once.” (PRV 3:27-28). Psalm 15 speaks of the one “who harms not his fellow man, nor takes up a reproach against his neighbor.”

As I considered these lines, the phrase “sticky wicket” came to mind. I actually had to go to a dictionary to be sure I was clear on the definition. I was somewhat surprised that what I found was exactly what I needed. A difficult or awkward situation; one requiring delicate treatment, it said. The difficulty came for me in the first reading when I thought of the panhandlers I drive or walk by sometimes (easier to ignore when I’m in my car). What should be my response to people who are obviously in need? What if I give money and they spend it unwisely? My judgment about such unfortunate people is where I get into trouble. My mind generally assumes all sorts of possibilities of why such people are as they are – all conditions brought on by their own weakness. Taking up a reproach against these neighbors of mine is easy. Deciding – on my better days – how to help them is not. Money is not always the answer. Maybe I should buy some gift certificates from a local restaurant or make some cards with the addresses of nearby food pantries. (These are just my first thoughts. There must be other attempts at a solution.)

One thing that is always possible is a smile and a kind word. Why would I be afraid to offer that, no matter the response?

Donate to The Sophia Center for Spirituality

Donate

Our other websites

  • Main website
  • Facebook page

Visitors

  • 100,784 hits

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 1,046 other subscribers

Recent Posts

  • The “O Antiphon” Meditations
  • Memorial to be held this Sunday
  • Mark your calendars
  • A note to readers
  • “Hope Springs Eternal…”

Meta

  • Register
  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.com

Follow me on Twitter

My Tweets

Archives

  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013

Blog at WordPress.com.

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
  • Follow Following
    • The Sophia Center for Spirituality
    • Join 560 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • The Sophia Center for Spirituality
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...