I was struck by the reading for Morning Prayer today. Tomorrow ends our Christmas season, and today, the second to the last day, our scripture from Lauds is taken from the book of Wisdom. It reads:
“Wisdom is the refulgence of eternal light, the spotless mirror of the power of God, the image of his goodness. And she, who is one, can do all things, and renews everything while herself perduring, and passing into holy souls from age to age, she produces friends of God and prophets.” Wisdom 7: 26-27
I find that to be so poetic and beautiful. It speaks of the Holy Spirit. The Jewish people a few hundred years before Christ almost personified Wisdom. I realize how close they came to understanding the Trinity right before Jesus was born. They certainly knew of the Father; they anticipated the Son in their waiting for the Messiah; and here in the Wisdom literature they were coming to understand the Holy Spirit.
In our own lives, how often do we ask for wisdom, as did Solomon of old? How often do we reflect on the spirit of our parents, of the generations that preceded us, and find wisdom? If what today’s reading speaks is true, how can we not ask for such a gift?
“(She) pass(es) into holy souls from age to age, she produces friends of God and prophets.”
May we all be spotless mirrors of the power of God. May the Holy Spirit renew us and all of creation. Amen.
