Friday 17th week in ordinary time
"Mt 13:54-58"
Coming to his own country Jesus taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, "Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works? Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brethren James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all this?" And they took offense at him.
For these people, wisdom was something you achieved in rabbis' schools. At the age of 12, Jesus had astonished those who were in the Temple by His wisdom and questions. And many saints in the history of Christianity have had the same effect. Because the common sense of saints is the Holy Spirit's gift of Wisdom.
St John Mary Vianney is a good example of a wise soul. He struggled during his years in the seminary because he didn't have enough intellectual capacity for the studies. Once ordained, he had to wait several months before receiving the authority to hear confessions because, as they reported, 'He lacked sufficient knowledge for the office.' As soon as he was granted permission, the 'ignorant' priest was soon visited from all over France by bishops, priests and thousands of religious and lay people seeking his advice.
One fine day an atheist came to try and prove to everyone that the Curé of Ars was an ignorant peasant and his superstition (our Faith) was nonsense. He came to him in the presence of other people in the sacristy and said, "Father, I haven't come for Confession; I've come to argue." "I don't know how to argue," replied the saint. "But if you need some consolation, you can kneel here." "But, Father," the man insisted sarcastically, "I told you that I don't believe in God or in priests and, therefore, in Confession. It's all nonsense." "I see," answered the holy priest. "An eight-year-old boy, with his catechism, knows more than you. I thought I was ignorant. You know even less. Let me explain it to you." By the end of the sentence the man was on his knees. A few minutes later, converted, he was praying in tears in front of the Tabernacle. When they asked St John Vianney where he got all his wisdom, he answered that it wasn't 'his'; he "borrowed it from the Holy Spirit." Mary, Spouse of the Holy Spirit, help me to obtain the divine Gift of Wisdom.
