Readings for Aug. 17-18, Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
By Lyn Zahorik | For On Mission
For several weeks, the Gospel of John has contained sections from the beautiful Bread of Life discourse. However, this week the First Reading caught my attention: “Wisdom built her house upon seven columns.”
You may have heard of the seven pillars of wisdom. There are seven characteristics that support us in living our life in the manner of Jesus. In James 3:17, we read, “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, free of hypocrisy.” How can we build these pillars in our lives?
Each day we can pursue purity by inviting the Holy Spirit to align our hearts with what God desires and protect us from anything that ignores, contradicts or demeans the teachings of Jesus.
A person of peace seeks harmony in life and allows God’s love to be reflected through them. They seek to make peace where peace is needed and maintain peace where it already exists.
A true peacemaker is one who does not just settle, to please others, but rather knows that courage is needed to maintain a peaceful spirit even amid the most stressful and challenging situations
Gentleness is the ability to accept correction with a humble and kind spirit, and to encourage others in love and humility. Gentleness listens with compassion and gives wise guidance with kindness. A gentle person can disagree in a civil and respectful manner with another person.
Being reasonable can be a challenge. “My rights and needs” can constantly be at odds with the expectations of God. When we come to realize and accept that we are deeply loved by God, we also can live “within reason.”
We will not just insist on the letter of the law, but also try to look compassionately at the spirit within each situation. We can grow in the skills of reasoning through awareness, education and the desire for intimate and authentic encounters with Jesus.
Each day we should make a conscious effort to recognize the mercy in which God covers us. It is that same generous mercy that God desires we extend to others in vulnerable situations.
We live in a nation that struggles with impartiality. People are stubborn in their belief about what is the truth. Desiring to have an impartial spirit allows us to ask ourselves what is the most faithful and just choice in each situation — and then trust that God will support and uphold us.
We each hold an image of how we want to be perceived by the world. However, sometimes the world sets up standards that lead us on pathways to sin rather than an image of who God has created us to be. We know what can happen if we behave in particular ways. Seeking to be free of hypocrisy allows us to be honest with God, ourselves and other people.
In the days ahead, may wisdom continue to build her house within us, empowering us to speak pure words, extend peace, treat others gently, yield needing to be right, work for goodness and welcome authenticity and a sincere heart.
Zahorik is director for spiritual engagement at St. Mary Parish, Omro, and St. Mary Parish, Winneconne.
The readings for Sunday, Aug. 18, can be found at Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time | USCCB.
