Wisdom Will Make Herself Known

Hi all,

Here is an excerpt from a paper I recently wrote for my Spirituality of Care class. The paper was about how seeing God in the world, in people, and in ourselves helps to change the world for the better.

As I continue to study, I am trusting on Wisdom to make Herself known.

In Mercy,

Sr. Mandy

The Book of Wisdom describes the practice of seeking God (Wisdom) as easy for anyone seeking her, that she can be found without difficulty, and that Wisdom will make herself known (Wisdom 6:12-14). In the real world of caregiving it is apparent that seeing God in service is not as straightforward as Scripture describes. Often it is difficult to form relationships with those in need of care and it is challenging to see the beauty in brokenness. As Henri Nouwen experienced in his experience at the L’Arche community seeing God and the beauty of others in their most vulnerable moments takes time and practice.¹ However, the Book of Wisdom assures us that intent is enough to begin the praxis of being present to God through care: “to fix one’s thought on her is perfect understanding… because she goes about seeking those worthy of her, and she graciously appears to them in their paths, and meets them in every thought” (Wisdom 6:16-17). It is enough to want to see God in our world, our work, and in caregiving. Though it may begin slowly, cultivating this desire opens our eyes to more of the hidden truth: that God is present with us not just in prescribed spaces and times but in all things the difficult and the beautiful, the strong and the weak.

[1] Henri Nouwen, A Spirituality of Caregiving. Nashville: Upper Room Books, 2011. 20-27.