The first of the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit is “Wisdom.” We are somewhat familiar with this gift inasmuch as we appeal for it in the Serenity Prayer:
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
According to Catholic Answers:
Wisdom is both the knowledge of and judgment about “divine things” and the ability to judge and direct human affairs according to divine truth.
“Wisdom” is knowing the difference between things. We do not rest in our own minds, but reach out and consider an object (an act or a thing) in light of its moral dimension. The things we can have and shouldn’t have, should do and shouldn’t.
Wisdom is allowing God’s Will into our lives, essentially the working out of Steps 2 and 3 of Alcoholics Anonymous. We face a path ahead of us, this “Trudging the Road of Happy Destiny,” and we know not where to go, what path to take. Wisdom helps us. So, how do we get this ‘wisdom?’
By asking for it. In 1 Kings 3, Solomon asked for wisdom…
1 Kings 3:9 “…Therefore, give to your servant a teachable heart, so that he may be able to judge your people, and to discern between good and evil. For who will be able to judge this people, your people, who are so many?”
…and it pleased God that he did this:
1 Kings 3:10-12 “And the word was pleasing before the Lord, that Solomon had requested this kind of thing. And the Lord said to Solomon: “Since you have requested this word, and you have not asked for many days or for wealth for yourself, nor for the lives of your enemies, but instead you have requested for yourself wisdom in order to discern judgment:behold, I have done for you according to your words, and I have given you a wise and understanding heart…”
Scripture quotes courtesy of Sacred Bible: Catholic Public Domain Version
God is always willing to grant you the things He wants to give you. All you have to do is ask. In today’s political and social climate, it is obvious that Wisdom is lacking on all sides. Perhaps it is ‘wise’ to adopt AA’s maxim regarding ‘outside issues’ (things extraneous to the job of keeping sober and clean) and just focus on ‘cleaming up our own side of the street’ (tending to the things that belong in our own personal lives: our sobriety, family, work, whatever. And as Catholics: our soul.)
Go to Confession as soon as possible. Make a ‘fearless and searching’ thorough examination of conscience. Go through the Ten Commandments, the Beatitudes, and a list of the Seven Corporal and Seven Spiritual Works of Mercy. Pray to the Holy Spirit for guidance as you fearlessly search through your conscience and soul as to how you stand with regard to each. Then, once the cruft and glop of sin has been removed from your soul, ask for Wisdom.
Ten Commandments
- I am the Lord your God; you shall not have strange gods before Me.
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You shall not take the Name of the Lord your God in vain.
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Remember to keep holy the Lord’s day.
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Honor your father and your mother.
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You shall not kill.
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You shall not commit adultery.
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You shall not steal.
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You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour.
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You shall not covet your neighbour’s wife.
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You shall not covet your neighbour’s goods.
The Beatitudes
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall possess the earth.
Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for justice, for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.
Blessed are they who suffer persecution for justice’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when men reproach you, and persecute you, and speaking falsely, say all manner of evil against you, for My sake.
The Seven Corporal Works of Mercy:
To feed the hungry;
To give drink to the thirsty;
To clothe the naked;
To shelter the homeless;
To care for the sick;
To ransom the captive/visit the imprisoned
To bury the dead.
The Spiritual Works of Mercy:
To instruct the ignorant;
To counsel the doubtful;
To admonish sinners;
To bear wrongs patiently;
To forgive offenses willingly;
To comfort the afflicted;
To pray for the living and the dead.
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