Grace of wisdom

The reading of the day, again from Ecclesiasticus, is all about wisdom.  I remember using this text as the opening prayer and theme for discussion during one of my courses in Karunapuram.  I may as well do that this year too.

He who loves her loves life; those who seek her out win her favour. He who holds her fast inherits glory; wherever he dwells, the LORD bestows blessings. Those who serve her serve the Holy One; those who love her the LORD loves. He who obeys her judges nations; he who hearkens to her dwells in her inmost chambers. If one trusts her, he will possess her; his descendants too will inherit her. She walks with him as a stranger, and at first she puts him to the test; Fear and dread she brings upon him and tries him with her discipline; With her precepts she puts him to the proof, until his heart is fully with her. Then she comes back to bring him happiness and reveal her secrets to him. But if he fails her, she will abandon him and deliver him into the hands of despoilers.

And Fr Maliekal's only line of reflection after the Gospel was the icing on the cake: We are called to seek wisdom and strive for it, but bear in mind that it is not something we 'achieve' through our efforts but something we are graced with!