She it was I loved and searched for from my youth.
I prayed, and understanding was given me;
I entreated, and the spirit of Wisdom came to me.
I esteemed her more than sceptres and thrones;
compared with her, I held riches as nothing.
I reckoned no priceless stone to be her peer,
I loved her more than health or beauty,
preferred her to the light,
since her radiance never sleeps.
In her company all good things came to me,
at her hands riches not to be numbered.
All these I delighted in, since Wisdom brings them,
but as yet I did not know she was their mother.
What I learned without self-interest, I pass on without reserve;
I do not intend to hide her riches.
For she is an inexhaustible treasure,
and those who acquire it win God's friendship,
commended as they are to him by the benefits of her teaching.
I found this writing about Wisdom in the prayers for Henry de Osso y Cervello, Carmelite OCD, whose saint's day is this week, on 27 January.
He seems to have wanted to spread the teaching and follow the teaching of Teresa and Therese who I mentioned in the last chapter. I didn't know this saint, but I am glad to meet him. I like his sense of being both a student and a teacher, of sharing the journey and its fruits.
She it was I loved and searched for from my youth;
I resolved to have her as my bride,
I fell in love with her beauty.
Her closeness to God lends lustre to her noble birth,
since the Lord of all has loved her.
Book of Wisdom. - Wis 7:7-8;10-14;8:2-3
In Carmel, the search for Wisdom is one reason for so much silence. It is not so much about teaching things to people, but teaching contemplation so that people can learn.
When I have heard Carmelites speak, it has mostly been simply, perhaps a comforting or a searching thought, and a space for me to think and search and rest as well.
"In the secret of my heart teach me wisdom" is the prayer. You don't really know if you have got it, but if you are sure you have, you definitely haven't :))
Such a freedom to be little.
References:
Samwise Gangee's speech: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pErpW0vFtPESt Henry de Osso : http://www.ocd.ie/index.php/11-spirituality/carmelite-saints/206-saint-henry-de-osso-y-cervello-feastday
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Carmel Reflections
SpiritualEver wonder what it's all about? I need to try and work it out. I'll just begin with the deer. This is about what and who and where strength comes from.
