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Thursday, November 15, 2001

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St. Albert the Great


Wisdom 7:22—8:1
Psalm 119:89-91, 130, 135, 175
Luke 17:20-25

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confirmed in wisdom

Wisdom "is an aura of the might of God and a pure effusion of the glory of the Almighty." —Wisdom 7:25

When you were confirmed in the Holy Spirit, the bishop or his delegate prayed for you to receive the gift of wisdom (see Is 11:2). As Confirmation is vitally important, so the confirmational gift of wisdom is very important.

Wisdom is "the refulgence of eternal light, the spotless mirror of the power of God, the image of His goodness" (Wis 7:26). Wisdom "produces friends of God and prophets" (Wis 7:27). Wisdom "is fairer than the sun and surpasses every constellation of the stars. Compared to light, she takes precedence" (Wis 7:29). Wisdom is "the attendant" at God's throne (Wis 9:4). Wisdom speaks of herself: "The Lord begot me, the firstborn of His ways, the forerunner of His prodigies of long ago" (Prv 8:22). Wisdom also says: "Then was I beside Him (God) as His craftsman, and I was His delight day by day, playing before Him all the while, playing on the surface of His earth; and I found delight in the sons of men" (Prv 8:30-31). Ultimately, Jesus is our Wisdom (1 Cor 1:30).

Consequently,

  • "Get wisdom, get understanding" (Prv 4:5).
  • Pray daily with faith for greater wisdom (Jas 1:5-6).
  • If you see a wise man, "seek him out; let your feet wear away his doorstep!" (Sir 6:36)

Grow daily in your confirmational gift of wisdom.

Prayer:  Father, make me wise as a snake and as innocent as a dove (Mt 10:16).

Promise:  "Your word, O Lord, endures forever; it is firm as the heavens." —Ps 119:89

Praise:  St. Albert, patron of scientists, was a university professor with expertise in biology, chemistry, physics, astronomy, and mathematics, as well as other disciplines. His studies of God's creation led him to a deeper faith in God the Creator (see Wis 13:1-9).

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Robert A. Stricker, May 8, 2001


Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, May 18, 2001