Wisdom’s Feast (20th Sunday in Ordinary Time)

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In the book of Proverbs, Wisdom is often presented as a personification of how to live wisely in this world. She is presented as a kind sister and friend who protects us from making bad decisions (Proverbs 7:3-4). She is said to love those who cling to her, guard them from evil, and exalt them (Proverbs 4:5-9).

Thus, we see in this Sunday’s first reading how she invites the naive to come to her house. Her teaching is symbolized by a lavish banquet of bread and mixed wine, which fills the soul and makes the foolish wise (vv. 2, 5). Her ways lead to life, which contrasts to the way of death which foolishness leads to (vv. 13-18). By embracing wisdom, we are protected from making foolish (and potentially destructive) decisions, and enabled to live the best possible life: a life characterized by virtue and godliness.

The Church since early times has also discerned a sacramental sense in these passages. Pope St. Gregory the Great, for example, saw the seven pillars of Wisdom’s house (v. 1) as an allegory for the seven sacraments.¹ In the same vein, St. Cyprian connects the “Bread and Wine” mentioned in the reading to the Holy Eucharist. As he writes in one of his letters:

The Holy Spirit through Solomon shows forth the type of sacrifice of the Lord, making mention of the immolated victim and of the bread and wine and also of the altar and of the apostles. “Wisdom,” he says, “has built a house and she has set up seven columns. She has slain her victims, mixed her wine in a chalice, and has spread her table.” He declares the wine is mixed, that is, he announces in a prophetic voice that the chalice of the Lord is mixed with water and wine.²

As we ponder this passage, let us thank God that He has given us the sacraments, through which we can grow in our union with God. Through this sacramental grace, we can grow in wisdom for daily living, and has given us the strength to live lives of heroic virtue.

J. Luis Dizon