A Lenten Word - Wisdom or Intelligence

Homily for Wednesday of the Third Week in Lent

A Lenten Word - Wisdom and Intelligence

The Book of Deuteronomy is the fifth and final book of the Torah. Its name literally means second law. Much of the material that we find in this book of the Hebrew Scriptures is also found in the Book of Exodus. However, forty years has elapsed since Moses gave the children of Israel the Law which he mediated with God atop Mount Sinai. As the children of Israel pitch their camp on the eastern side of the River Jordan, Moses reviews the covenant with the people before they enter into the Promised Land.

Today, we hear Moses tell the children of Israel:

“Observe them (the statutes and decrees) carefully, for thus will you give evidence of your wisdom and intelligence to the nations, who will hear of all these statutes and say, 'This great nation is truly a wise and intelligent people.'”

Throughout our day let us be mindful of God’s Law; namely, to love the Lord our God and our neighbor as ourselves. When we think of the law, we automatically think of obedience. However, Moses puts the emphasis not on the obedience to the Law but upon the wisdom and intelligence of the Law. The question that the Scriptures put before us today is whether we consider our obedience as wisdom and intelligence, or do we consider it a burden that God has placed upon us.

This past Sunday we heard St. Paul tell us that Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. Let us be mindful of God’s wisdom throughout this day as we continue on our Lenten journey.