WISDOM

      Not all scriptures are created equal.  In my role as a preacher of the Word, whose task it is to break open God's Word, I can attest to that statement.  All scriptures are important, but some are easier to preach on.

     The readings for this past Sunday, the 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time, are great readings for preaching.  They are filled with powerful words that speak of the goodness of our God.

     Verse 13 of chapter 1 of the Book of Wisdom, the first reading for that celebration, says: "God did not make death, nor does he rejoice in the destruction of the living."

     God does not make death!

     But listen to the way we speak of God at times - "If you don't behave, God will punish you" ... "Why did God take this person, allow this child to die?" ... a natural disaster is called "an act of God".

     Wisdom 1 said: "God does not make death!"  then it continues: "For he fashioned all things that they may have being; and the creatures of the world are wholesome."

    Remember the creation accounts?  At the end of each creative act, God paused and looked at what had been created, and saw that it was good.  Everything was fashioned that it may exist and have being ... a gift given by the divine being.

     But death does exist - it comes from the sin of the rejection of what was God-given in search of an empty promise of something more.

     In verse 23 & 24 of chapter 2 of Wisdom we read: "For God formed man to be imperishable; the image of his own nature he made him.  But by the envy of the devil, death entered the world and they who belong to his company experience it."

     From the time of the Fall we have struggled to realize and hold onto our destiny, sometimes succeeding but often failing.   But then came the Word once again in time, speaking a creative word that would repair the damage done by sin and restore to God's company those claimed by the evil one.   This time the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen him and share in his glory.

     In a world still claimed by chaos and darkness, sin and death, it is imperative that we know that we have been made new and good through the redemptive action of the Cross.   And we must lay claim to that wonderful gift and give thanks.