A PARTY INVITATION FROM WISDOM

A sermon for the 11th Sunday after Pentecost, Year B

by Pastor Laura Gentry

Eph. 5:15-20 • Prov. 9:1-6 • John 6:51-58

I have this habit of personifying objects. For example, my husband got a nice little flashlight from a man named Charlie. It is the best flashlight we’ve ever had. So we started referring to it as “the flashlight from Charlie.” Well, then after time, it got shortened down to just “Charlie” and then we started using a male pronoun for it. We’d say things like: “can you bring Charlie so he can help me find the sock under the bed?” One time a repairman was in our basement and needed a flashlight. William shouted up the steps to me: “Go get Charlie!” Immediately, I showed up with the flashlight, much to the amazement of the repairman.

Perhaps you do this too. Cherished objects almost seem like friends in need of names. I know some people give names to their cars. Well, in the ancient wisdom literature, the concept of wisdom is personified also. Though it is not a person, it has such importance that it is referred to metaphorically as a woman who takes action. There are whole “wisdom” books in the Bible, such as Proverbs. The sayings in this book are collected bits of wisdom from God’s people over the centuries.

In this morning’s reading from the 7th chapter of Proverbs, Wisdom is active as usual. This time she’s throwing a party. She’s got a big house with 7 pillars—which refers to divinity. 7 is a divine, Godly number throughout scripture. And wisdom has made a feast and set the table. She is very serious about this party and wants to make sure that there are lots of people in attendance so she sends out her servants to do the inviting.

“You that are simple, turn in here,” calls out Wisdom from the highest places.

“Come, eat of my bread and drink the wine I have mixed. Lay aside immaturity, and live, and walk in the way of insight.”

In the chapter before, Wisdom explains that she was with God at the very creation of the world. She was beside him as he spun the universe’s glory and now she delights in his creation. She rejoices before the Lord.

Not only that, she outlines her value. She says: “Take my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold; for wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her. (Prov. 8:10-11)

Then, goes on to give this important advise: “My children, listen to me: happy are those who keep my ways. Happy is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors. For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the Lord; but those who miss me injure themselves; all who hate me love death.” (Prov. 8:32-36)

The great Wisdom calls to us, even today. She invites us to her party. She fiercely wants us to turn to her no matter how simple we may be, to come and feast at her table—to let go of our immature and foolish ways so that we can truly live. When we live in the bosom of Wisdom, we are happy. When we turn away from it, however, we miss out on a great treasure more valuable than jewels and we injure ourselves. Wisdom is not fooling around here. She means business.

Paul speaks of Wisdom also. In today’s reading he writes that we ought not to live as unwise people. Instead, we should embrace wisdom. He says this is especially important because the days are evil. He doesn’t say this to scare us but simply to remind us of the world from which Christ has redeemed us. He has come to deliver us from these evil days, to move us from brokenness to healing, forgiveness and grace.

So the party is already happening—with or without us. God in his wisdom created the world and went to all efforts to redeem it. Through Christ, we have all been sent an invitation to the party. Wisdom is keenly interested in our RSVP. Will we say yes or will we say no?

Here at worship, Wisdom is celebrating. She is offering us her knowledge when we hear scripture read and preached and when we come to the table to receive the body and blood of Christ who reminds us yet again in today’s Gospel that he is our bread. He is here to nourish our weary bones, to revive us and make us whole and strong. Yes, you’ve come to the right place if you are thinking about saying yes to Wisdom’s kind invitation.

It’s not easy—being wise. The evil days we live in try to draw us away from Wisdom at every turn. We turn on the television or go to a movie or overhear a conversation and it all seems to be about seemingly insignificant matter, what I call the “shallow life.” Everybody’s just going about their routine, doing their own thing, not concerned with much more than their own basic needs. Paul called them fools and said their god is their stomach. They miss out on the riches of God’s grace. They injure themselves. It is all too easy to jump on the world’s bandwagon and miss out on the treasure of Wisdom.

But even when you consciously decide that you want to be wise, that you want to cling to God and live according to it, you still have trouble. Thomas Merton, the monastic theologian, was thought to be so enlightened, so close to God. Yet even he struggled. Once wrote this to God:

”...nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following you will doesn’t mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing.”

Merton was on to something here, I think. We are by nature sinful. We will always miss the mark when it comes to living righteously. But being wise is about desiring God, desiring to please God. That desire alone will please God. Our desire should be to imitate Christ to the degree that we are able and trust that the Spirit will guide us and nudge us in the right direction. We should seek to know Christ so much that his heart become our heart. We will love as he loves. That is true Wisdom. That is the place of abundant living. That’s the party we want to go to. And the party is not just one time or place, the party is LIFE if we are living it in Christ’s love.

That all sounds great, but how do we get to the party? Based on the insights of today’s scriptures, I have two pieces of advise.

LISTEN & LEARN

The first is to listen and learn. We must recognize that the treasure is in God. We are called to seek this treasure with all that is in us. Are we listening to God in scripture? Are we learning God’s ways? Are we listening in the events of our lives? The insights of fellow Christians? Our whole life is a learning experience when we allow it to be. If we want wisdom, we must study. God is eager to give it if only we listen and learn.

LET GO & LOVE

Secondly, we must let go and love. To come to Wisdom’s party, she says we must “turn in here.” That means we have to leave our old path, our selfish, shallow ways and turn into the Wisdom only God can give. The goal of the Christian life is to be one with God. Can we surrender ourselves entirely to the one who loves us infinitely?

Day after day, we must die to ourselves so that we can live to Christ. That is not an easy task. Letting go is so painful because that sinful part inside wants to call the shots instead of letting God do so. To come to Wisdom’s party, however, we absolutely must let go. And when we do, we allow Wisdom to grow and to fill us with the love of Christ. Then, we can love without reason or limits. We can love in a way that heals us and our evil days. We can be a part of Spirit’s effort to bring about the kingdom of God. Then, we will have abundant life. That’s where true happiness can be found. And it all begins with desiring God’s will.

Listen and Learn. Let go and love. Wisdom is having a great big party right here in the midst of our lives. Are you coming?

Let us pray: God of all Wisdom, you have filled us with your Spirit and led us to what the world calls foolishness, the Cross, to give us life eternal. We praise you for feeding us your teaching, filling us with your nourishing love. Lead us away from Foolishness. Direct us toward eating the Bread of Life and helping to feed the world. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

Now may the peace of God which passes all understanding keep our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord.