16 November 2014
33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Was the author of the Book of Proverbs ahead of his time? With the patriarchal (and sometimes even misogynistic) attitudes that prevail in much of the Bible, it is refreshing to read of the high praise of women. Where does this come from?Scripture study encourages us to consider the various “layers” of the reading. The Church Fathers (and Mothers) refer to these layers as the “senses of Scripture.” On a literal level, today’s first reading offers the advice given by the Queen Mother to her son, Lemuel, king of Massa. The Queen Mother held a prominent place in the palace and her sage advice was highly regarded. She describes the ideal wife who brings honor to her husband; one who is kind, compassionate and industrious as she supports him in his responsibilities to his subjects. Her true beauty and integrity are from within.
But there is a deeper “sense” underlying this passage. Throughout the Books of Wisdom Literature, wisdom is personified as a woman. Scholars have even regarded this as the “feminine” side of God. And she is busy at work right alongside God. These Books tell us that “Woman Wisdom” acts in creation, pervades all things, and pours out God’s light and goodness; she is described as refreshing water, desirable nourishment and able to renew all things. Do we see here manifestations of the Holy Spirit? Or of Christ, who is identified as God’s wisdom in the New Testament? Thus, when the king is encouraged to seek a suitable wife, perhaps it is Woman Wisdom that he really seeks!
We return to our opening question: Was the author of the Book of Proverbs ahead of his time? We see clearly in this book the workings of the Holy Spirit in the universal beauty, goodness and integrity of Woman Wisdom. Wisdom was with God from all eternity. The Holy Spirit who is the author and source of divine inspiration for all of Scripture is the same Spirit who plants the seeds of divine wisdom within our hearts.
The author, Ms. Barbara Gawle, leads Bible studies at her parish, Incarnation Church of Wethersfield, CT. She is a CBS graduate and the 2012 recipient of the Biblical School's highest award, the Lawrence Boadt Memorial Medal.
