Who are our greatest teachers?
Where can we find wisdom?
One of the greatest things in life is the opportunity to pursue an education. What a blessing we have to be able to learn and develop our intellectual gifts and talents. Unfortunately, the right to an education is a privilege that many people throughout the world are unable to take part in due to financial difficulties. Never take for granted the many ways that God has taught you and allowed you to grow and learn. Let’s be grateful to our Lord and all those whom he uses to influence our lives for the better.
I remember fondly my school years and the special teachers I had in life. They were the people who helped me make new discoveries and get beyond any fears that held me back. For instance, my catechism teachers taught me to understand the Catholic Faith. I pray for them still and remember them in my intentions during the day. I was also lucky to have parents who took seriously their vocation to be my first teachers in the faith. The Second Vatican Council document Lumen Gentium (#11) describes this dimension of family life as the Domestic Church, where parents show children who God is and then teach by their good example. And Jesus was of course the greatest teacher who ever lived, since He showed us the way to the Father. He continues to reveal the Good News to those open to accepting it. Today Jesus offers the gift of wisdom through Sacred Scriptures and the teachings of the Church, leading us to know divine truths and attain eternal life. God gives us the Spirit of wisdom to know and love divine realities.
Still we can fall away from the path that was taught to us by our educators and our family. St. Paul wrote to the Ephesians (Eph. 5:15): “Watch carefully how you live not as foolish people but as wise.” He was shepherding the Christians of Ephesus into a reflective life that leads to wisdom. St. Paul reminds them to be people led by the Holy Spirit to discover God’s will. He writes: “Be filled with the Holy Spirit” (Eph. 5:18). Paul wanted the Church in Ephesus to find quiet times during the day to be reflective and thus to be open to being led by the wisdom of God.
I think that the most favorable moments I learned wisdom was when I saw it practiced by those exceptional teachers and family members who helped form me. These heroes of mine developed their own fine human characteristics and then modeled it to others. God still blesses us with holy companions and guides us to give a good example to others. It is in cooperation with the promptings of the Holy Spirit that we develop and share true wisdom.
To close, here's a link to a poem by Mary Rita Schilke Korzan, written to her mother to thank her for all the unseen moments that she learned about life from her. Where will you find wisdom today? Be open to the Spirit!
MISSIO offers themed-quizzes in MissioBot to examine your religious knowledge - and this blog by Father Leo Perez, OMI to reflect on questions of mission and faith.
