Written by Sr. Rosemary Finnegan, O.P.
Readings from: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/092220.cfm
Some of us may remember the “Dear Abby” column of the newspaper. She gave lots of advice about all kinds of situations. Our first reading is from the book of Proverbs, and this book has been referred to as the advice column of the Old Testament. It’s a book of ancient wisdom and common sense that transcends time, history, people and culture. Although we don’t know the real author, King Solomon is often given credit for it.
In this book, Solomon reveals the mind of God in matters high and lofty, and in common, ordinary, everyday situations. No topic escaped his attention. The focus of the book is to pass on wisdom and there are 915 wise sayings that address personal conduct, business, charity, character, alcohol, and even child rearing. It contains two basic kinds of writings: longer instructions addressed to young people and short sayings addressed to all. Here are a few:
- “Teach children how they should live, and they will remember it all their lives.” (22:6)
- “The parent should be a good example and a wise teacher for his child”
And there are warnings:
- “Stay away from foolish people; they have nothing to teach you.” (14:7)
And here’s a good one for all of us:
- “Intelligent people think before they speak; what they say is then more persuasive.” (16:23)
The proverb in today’s 1st reading remind us that God controls all the events of our life: “Like a stream is the king’s heart in the hand of the Lord; wherever it pleases him, he directs it.”
Some of the sayings may seem outdated or funny to us today, but the overall lesson is that faith is not just a matter of right believing; it is also a matter of right living. Proverbs is a book of wisdom to be read as we live our lives at home, work and with our neighbors. Its 31 chapters give us sound and sensible advice to the complex questions of our lives and teach us how to accomplish God’s will in this world.
I’d encourage you to thumb through it today and take this ‘how to’ book to heart. For thousands of years it has taught people how to live good, responsible, fruitful lives; no doubt it can do the same for us who are seeking to live holy lives in these challenging times.
