“Through Him, I shall be acclaimed among the people and, although still a youth, honoured by the elders.”
“I shall be considered shrewd when I sit in judgement. The most powerful will be surprised when they see me and princes will show their admiration for me.”
“When I am silent, they will wait for me to speak; when I speak, they will pay attention to what I say. If I speak at some length, they will place their hands on their lips.”
“He it is who will give me immortality, and through Him I shall leave an everlasting remembrance to those who come after me.”
“I shall govern people through Him and nations shall be my subjects.” St Gregory has this comment to make on Solomon’s self-praise, " Those whom God has chosen to write His sacred words are filled with the Holy Spirit. In a way, they seem to rise above themselves and enter into the very one who possesses them. Thus they become mouthpieces of God himself, for they are concerned with God alone in everything they say, and they speak of themselves as though speaking of someone else."
“The most formidable kings shall be afraid when they hear of me. I shall show myself kind to my people and valiant in war.”
“When I go home, I shall be at my ease with Wisdom, for His conversation is never disagreeable nor His company unpleasant. With Him there is only contentment and joy.”
“I thought about these things and I reflected in my heart that immortality is found in union with Wisdom.”
“I found pure contentment in his friendship, inexhaustible wealth in His accomplishments, understanding in His teaching and conversation, and great joy listening to His counsels; and so I went about seeking Him everywhere to make Him my companion.” After summing up his previous commentary, Solomon draws this conclusion: “I went about seeking for eternal Wisdom in all directions.” To possess Him we must seek ardently; in other words, we must be ready to give up everything, to suffer everything, in order to obtain possession of Him. Only a few find him because only a few look for him in a manner worthy of Him.
In the seventh chapter of the Book of Wisdom, the Holy Spirit speaks of the excellence of eternal Wisdom in these terms: “In Wisdom there is a spirit that is intelligent, holy, unique, fruitful, subtle, eloquent, active, unsullied, lucid, gentle, benevolent, keen, irresistible, beneficent, kindly, firm, unfailing, unperturbed, all- powerful, all-seeing, possessing every spirit, understandable, pure and subtle. For Wisdom is more active than any active thing. He is so pure he penetrates all things” (Wisd. 7:22-24). “Wisdom is an infinite treasure for men. Those who have utilised this treasure have become God’s friends, and praiseworthy for their gifts of knowledge”.
Thank you both for your “hearts” – may Eternal Wisdom keep us ardently seeking Him in a manner worthy of Him, that we may find Him and possess Him for all Eternity. Amen.
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