Wisdom!

Is it a form of intelligence or cleverness? Is it a gift?

Which is it?

Several years ago in Ireland, I was invited to attend a ‘WRITERS WEEK’ and was privileged to rub shoulders with some of the finest writers in the land. I was a teacher then of English language and literature in Cork, Ireland, and ‘WRITERS WEEK’ was a wonderful opportunity to meet and learn from some of the best writers in their field. One night, after a spirited party in a local pub, when we were walking back to our lodgings, one of the wives of our distinguished writers said, laughingly: “We never knew the difference between intelligence and wisdom until tonight.”

“What do you mean?” I asked, enjoying the banter.

“Look at them!” she said. “These men are the most intelligent men I know, experts in their field, but see how they’re lacking in wisdom?”

She was commenting on the farcical behavior of my intelligent friends.

Wisdom is not the same as intelligence or cleverness. It is central to the scriptures. Solomon was praised because he prized wisdom above everything, above wealth and power. Socrates was described by Plato in the Dialogues as the wisest man that ever lived because he was committed to the relentless search for truth wherever he found it. He even gave his life rather than betray the truth.

Jesus came on earth to witness to the truth, to reveal the wisdom of God to us, and he laid down His life for that truth so that we might be saved. People were so astounded at the wisdom that flowed from the mouth of Jesus that they exclaimed: “Where did this man get all this? What kind of wisdom has been given Him?” (Mark 6:3). He was wise beyond all men because His wisdom flowed from the purest fountain of truth, God Himself.

For St. James, the wise person shows that his “deeds are done with gentleness born of wisdom.” This is the wisdom that is from above and is pure. It is not the same as earthly cleverness that is often driven by “envy and selfish ambition.” True wisdom, he says, avoids “disorder and wickedness of every kind” (James 3:16).

The wisdom of Jesus finds its ultimate expression in the Beatitudes which backtrack to the condition of the human heart, and elevate everything we do.

This is the wisdom which is pure: “Blessed are the pure in heart.” (Matthew 5:8). The truly wise are pure of heart in their service of God, they are free from all ulterior motives and self-seeking because their minds and hearts are set on pleasing God, not man.

This is the wisdom which is peaceable: “Blessed are the peacemakers.” (Matthew 5:9). Arrogant, worldly intelligence often breeds dissension and division. Just listen to the different news slants on television and in the printed media. Wisdom from above always produces harmony and understanding and right relationships among people.

This is the wisdom which is gentle: “Blessed are the meek.” (Matthew 5:5). The truly wise person is considerate, knowing when to temper justice with mercy and refusing to Lord it over others.

Wisdom from above improves and perfects human reason. It is not closed-minded or narrow for it is born of something higher than reason: faith. The problem with modern society is that wisdom from above is in short supply. We live in a world twisted by conflicts and disputes.

Where do these conflicts and disputes come from, if not from within the individual? Conflicts and disputes, the Lord tells us, derive from attitudes of greed, envy and vengeance. Wisdom from above asks us to take a closer look at those attitudes that are ultimately responsible for sins against God and humanity, and replace them with the Beatitudes of the gospel.

Let us strive to be counted among those who live and move in the wisdom from above.

St James says: “if any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you” (James 1:5).

—Fr. Hugh Duffy