Saturday after the Ninth Sunday after Pentecost
In the liturgical calendar, the Saturday after the Ninth Sunday after Pentecost invites us to meditate on the beauty of God’s wisdom and the profound relationship between true blessedness and obedience to God’s word. The readings from Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) 24:14-16 and Luke 11:27-28 provide us with a rich tapestry for contemplation, beautifully interwoven with the insights of the Church Fathers.
Wisdom in Ecclesiasticus
Ecclus 24:14-16 speaks of Wisdom, who says:
“I was exalted like a palm tree in Engedi, and as a rose plant in Jericho: as a fair olive tree in a pleasant field, and grew up as a plane tree by the water. I gave a sweet smell like cinnamon and aspalathus, and I yielded a pleasant odor like the best myrrh: and I perfumed my dwelling as storax, and galbanum, and onyx, and aloes, and as the frankincense not cut, and my scent is as the purest balm.”In these verses, Wisdom is personified and described in terms of natural beauty and fragrance, illustrating the divine qualities and the delight that Wisdom brings to those who seek her. The Church Fathers often identified Wisdom with Christ or with the Holy Spirit, emphasizing the indwelling presence of God’s wisdom in creation and in the lives of the faithful.
St. Augustine commented on the beauty and desirability of Wisdom, noting that “Christ is the Wisdom of God” and that His presence sanctifies and beautifies the soul, making it a fragrant offering to God. This aligns with the imagery in Ecclesiasticus, where Wisdom’s presence brings a sweet fragrance, symbolizing holiness and divine favor.
True Blessedness in Luke
In Luke 11:27-28, a woman in the crowd raises her voice and says to Jesus:
“Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which you nursed!” But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”This response from Jesus shifts the focus from physical motherhood to spiritual obedience. St. Bede reflects on this passage by emphasizing that true blessedness comes from hearing and keeping God’s word. He explains that while the Virgin Mary is indeed blessed for her role in bearing Christ, her greatest blessedness lies in her obedience to God’s will, a virtue that all Christians are called to emulate.
St. John Chrysostom also elaborates on this teaching, noting that Jesus redirects the praise from His biological relationship to Mary to the spiritual kinship that comes from adherence to God’s commandments. This underscores the inclusive nature of the Kingdom of God, where everyone who hears and obeys God’s word is invited to partake in the divine blessings.
The Synthesis of Wisdom and Obedience
When we synthesize the themes from these two readings, we find a profound call to seek divine Wisdom and to embody it through our obedience to God’s word. The imagery of Wisdom as a fragrant and beautiful presence in Ecclesiasticus invites us to welcome Christ into our lives, allowing His wisdom to transform and sanctify us.
Simultaneously, the passage from Luke challenges us to recognize that true blessedness is not merely in our natural relationships or accomplishments but in our faithful response to God’s revelation. The Church Fathers guide us to understand that living in accordance with God’s wisdom, as revealed in Christ and through the Holy Spirit, is the highest form of blessedness.
Conclusion
On this Saturday after the Ninth Sunday after Pentecost, let us reflect on the beauty and fragrance of divine Wisdom in our lives. Let us strive to hear and keep God’s word, recognizing that our true blessedness lies in our obedience and relationship with Him. As we meditate on the insights of the Church Fathers, may we be inspired to live out this divine wisdom in our daily actions, becoming fragrant offerings to God through our faithful discipleship.
In the words of St. Augustine, may our lives “be a sweet fragrance of Christ,” reflecting His wisdom and love in all that we do.