"Wisdom is luminous and never tarnished; she willingly lets herself be seen by those who love her, and known by those who look for her. She hastens to meet those who long for her. Seek her in the morning and you will not be disappointed; you will find her sitting at your door. To meditate on Wisdom is understanding fully grown; whoever is on the watch for her will be free of anxiety. She goes in search of those who are worthy of her, graciously meets them on the way and is present in their every thought."The Book of Wisdom (6:12-16)
Wisdom.
It has become the quest of the past decade of my life, triggered by my re-reading and meditation on Victor Hugo's Les Miserables. The above passage from the Hebrew Scripture reminds me that it is not I who seek Wisdom. She comes looking for me.
The fruits of meditation on Wisdom include:
• deepening maturity ("understanding fully grown")
• reduction of anxiety
• the presence of Wisdom to me and its influence on my every thought, decision, and action.
Perhaps the height of Wisdom is knowing that I am not all-wise, all-knowing, nor fully mature. Instead I am a traveler who encounters Wisdom "on the way" (on my personal and shared camino). It is in this real world that we bump into and recognize each other. And enjoy each other's company as we walk.
Photo by Alfred J. Garrotto, Los Arcos, Cabo San Lucas (2011)
