Monday Reflections: Free Words

 

“Wisdom is better than pearls;
nothing is more delightful than she.”

Book of Proverbs, chapter 8, verse 11

Jesus found wisdom in reflecting on the lilies of the field and the birds of the air. UMCom photo by Kay Panovec

Who has given you advice that has changed your life?

When I started as chaplain at Nebraska Wesleyan University, I set out to know the community. Even though I was United Methodist, I learned that most of the people at the university were of multiple spiritual traditions. Students were Catholic, Lutheran, Non-denominational, United Methodist, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, and Non-religious. Faculty and staff were Catholic, Methodist, Pentecostal, atheist, agnostic, and everything in between. In one of my first visits with the president, we talked about my role as pastor to the university and how difficult it would be to be the spiritual leader of such a diverse community.

When I shared what would be my approach, he looked me in the eyes and said, “Eduardo, we cannot dilute ourselves so much that we end up being nothing.” Those words still ring in my ears. Those words changed my life. For the next 10 years, I understood my work there as being a spiritual leader in my tradition while honoring others’ beliefs.

The psalm for today is Psalm 81, particularly verses 10-16. The psalmist imagines God asking, “Why don’t my people hear my voice?” The psalmist believed that failure to listen to God, failure to be open to Wisdom, would lead to suffering. At the beginning of the book of Proverbs, Wisdom goes out on the streets asking the same question. Those who ignore her risk hurting themselves.

Wisdom comes from listening to all that is around us. Sometimes, it comes through the words of a mentor. Sometimes, wisdom comes from listening to nature. Jesus found wisdom in reflecting on the lilies of the field and the birds of the air. To gain wisdom, we ought to open our eyes, ears and hearts. It is in the simplest things in life that we will learn to lengthen our days.

Questions to ponder: What advice has changed your life? Where do you find wisdom? As an adult, have you ever ignored a wise teaching?

Prayer
Divine Wisdom, you go out on the streets sharing your ways. Help me see life through your eyes. Amen.