“Wisdom Has Built Her House” (Proverbs 9:1)

Mary & Joseph Statues in the School Building Restored!

Thank you to parishioner and  artist, Joseph Marco, for restoring our Mary and Joseph statue in time for a new school year.  He is a very talented artist, and when he saw of the effect that time was having on the statues, he             volunteered to bring them back to their original appearance.  Thank you, Joseph!

Today’s first reading comes from the Book of Proverbs.  We get a look at wisdom, which interestingly is identified in the reading as a person.  Of course, we know who that person is—it’s Jesus Christ. In the proverb, we’re invited us into the house because Wisdom has prepared a something special for us to eat and drink.  We’re welcomed to the table. 
 
In the gospel, we see that it isn’t bread and wine that feeds us at the table, though. It is Jesus himself.  The Eucharist is the real presence of Christ—his flesh and blood given to us.  When we know who Christ is, and how he makes himself present to us, we gain wisdom.
 
It’s a timely reading as we get ready to open the St. Hubert School doors to begin a new year for the 57 ^th time.  Our Religious Education Program begins a few weeks later on September 12.
 
A Catholic education—both in our school and in our religious education program—provides more than just knowledge.  It helps our students grow in wisdom, which is a gift of the Holy Spirit.
 
Wisdom, in the biblical world, comes from understanding our relationship with God.  It’s the skill that comes from living rightly and justly.  In the Old Testament, the Prophet Micah put it this way: “This is what the Lord requires of you: Only to do justice and to love goodness and to walk humbly with God” (Micah 6:8).  What we do and how we act is important.  It requires not just knowledge, which comes through the mind, but wisdom, which comes from the heart.  We need both.
 
Growing in wisdom takes a lifetime.  It requires a commitment to diving into the Word of God, to allowing it to form us and shape us so that we live the way God asks.  We do that through education, as well as through our worship, and in the ministries that we all can participate in here at St. Hubert, regardless of age.  We are always learning and growing.
 
Our adult formation and education program, called CAFÉ, launches its season on Wednesday, August 29 with a special presentation on St. Hildegard by Sr. Karlyn Cauley.  See page 9 for more information.  It will take place in the lower level of the church, and with our new sound system, we’ll be able to hear every word.
 
In September, the CAFÉ group will host a four-week bible study starting September 19.  We’ll take a look at the many references to scripture that have become a normal part of what we say during Mass.  In January, CAFÉ will host a seven-part series on the Sacraments and how they move us to live the  gospel as disciples of Christ.
 
Whether or not we’re headed off to school on Monday, we all have things we can continue to learn and share with one another.  As a faith community, we grow in wisdom together. And that makes a parish a special and holy place.  May God bless you!