Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop and Martyr

Lectionary: 470

In all wisdom and insight, he has made known to us
the mystery of his will in accord with his favor
that he set forth in him as a plan for the fullness of times,
to sum up all things in Christ, in heaven and on earth.

Although study is often difficult, there is great satisfaction in the work. God's universe spreads itself like a banquet before the open mind that is willing to sacrifice time and effort. The more we learn the more we want to know. Enough is never enough! 

But learning is also difficult; it requires that we unlearn what we thought we knew and bend the brain around something unfamiliar. And it comes with the danger of vanity in achieving what others have not achieved. That vanity had to be overcome on the way to learning; and then it reappears as a sense of superiority to others. It considers itself wise despite the obvious limits of all human knowledge; and ignores the fact that, before the vast scope of God's universe, I am ignorant, needy, and dependent upon his merciful and just authority.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. our scriptures repeatedly tell us. Wisdom begins in humility and leads to deeper humility. 

American culture and many strains of Catholicism are afflicted with the vanity of anti-intellectualism. They glory in their elite ignorance and cultivate it in their children. It is fostered by a jealous fear that the child might outdo the parent. Some children are repeatedly told they will fail, and will never be as smart as their father or mother; that programming  is hard to overcome. 

Our scriptures and the core of our Catholic tradition encourage us to watch, study, and be amazed at the wonderful things we can learn, and always to seek greater wisdom and understanding. We especially glory in the cross because it reveals to us that hidden wisdom. As Saint Paul wrote to the Corinthians (2 Cor 2:8)

Yet we do speak a wisdom to those who are mature, but not a wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age who are passing away.
Rather, we speak God’s wisdom,* mysterious, hidden, which God predetermined before the ages for our glory,
and which none of the rulers of this age* knew; for if they had known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
But as it is written:

“What eye has not seen, and ear has not heard,

and what has not entered the human heart,

what God has prepared for those who love him,”

this God has revealed to us through the Spirit.

For the Spirit scrutinizes everything, even the depths of God.

Unlike the mysterious nonsense of some occult groups, our mysteries are hidden in plain sight. We have only to look around to see the humility, mercy, and justice of God. We have only to listen to our saints -- both the canonized and those who attend church with us -- to see the wonders God has wrought. We have only to lift up our heads and see the humility of God in the Blessed Sacrament to know how we should live our lives.