CAN CATHOLICISM BE "WOKE"? - Choosing the Hidden Wisdom

Summary

This reflection delves into the choice between worldly wisdom and the wisdom that comes from God. Drawing on biblical texts from Sirach, Paul, and the Gospel of Matthew, it emphasizes the importance of living out one's faith through not just love but by internalizing and intensifying the law of God. The preacher highlights how Jesus’ teachings call us to recognize the dispositions of our hearts and challenge conventional societal wisdom. The message urges believers to choose the path of God’s wisdom, which leads to life and salvation, over the divisive and passing wisdom of the world.

Takeaways

• 😀 God offers us a clear choice between life and death, good and evil, fire and water, as seen in the Book of Sirach.
• 😀 We tend to prefer gray areas, but God presents a straightforward decision that requires us to choose His path.
• 😀 Saint Paul speaks of a hidden wisdom from God, contrasting it with the worldly wisdom that is passing away.
• 😀 Jesus, in His teachings, intensifies the commandments, asking us to examine not just our actions, but the internal dispositions that lead to sin.
• 😀 Jesus’ antitheses in the Gospel of Matthew challenge us to go beyond conventional wisdom and live a more profound moral life.
• 😀 Anger is not a sin, but how we respond to it is critical. The disposition we have when angry can lead to sin.
• 😀 Jesus intensifies the commandment not to commit adultery by addressing the lust in one’s heart, not just the outward act.
• 😀 Jesus teaches that we should let our yes mean yes and our no mean no, emphasizing honesty and integrity in our words and actions.
• 😀 The wisdom of the world, including trends like critical race theory and gender fluidity, often leads to division and conflict, rather than reconciliation.
• 😀 The wisdom that comes from God calls us to a deeper, more personal commitment to His truth, leading to unity and peace.
• 😀 Ultimately, we are faced with a choice: to embrace worldly wisdom or the wisdom that comes from God, which leads to life, peace, and fulfillment.

Q & A

What is the primary theme of the sermon in the transcript?

The primary theme of the sermon is the choice between following God's wisdom versus worldly wisdom. The sermon emphasizes that this choice is fundamental to living a faithful life and is presented through Biblical teachings, particularly from the book of Sirach, the writings of Saint Paul, and the Gospel of Matthew.

How does the book of Sirach contribute to the sermon?

The book of Sirach, part of the Wisdom literature of Israel, presents the idea that God offers a clear, black-and-white choice between life and death, good and evil, urging the people to choose the wisdom that leads to life. This sets the foundation for the sermon, highlighting the need to make deliberate, faithful choices.

What is the significance of the 'wisdom' that Saint Paul speaks of in the second reading?

Saint Paul distinguishes between the 'wisdom of this age,' which is worldly and passing, and the 'mysterious and hidden wisdom' that comes from God. This wisdom is embodied in Jesus Christ and is intended for the mature, urging Christians to choose divine wisdom over conventional, fleeting worldly wisdom.

How does Jesus' message in the Gospel relate to the theme of choice?

In the Gospel, particularly in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus presents a series of antitheses (opposite statements) that intensify the law, challenging listeners to go beyond external actions and focus on internal dispositions. This reinforces the theme of choice—choosing the deeper wisdom that leads to spiritual transformation.

What is the meaning of Jesus' statement, 'You have heard it said... but I say to you...'?

This phrase marks the antitheses in the Gospel where Jesus refines and intensifies the moral teachings of the law. For example, He deepens the commandment against murder to include the internal sin of anger, emphasizing that sin begins in the heart, not just in actions.

What does the sermon suggest about the nature of anger and sin?

The sermon clarifies that anger in itself is not sinful, but it becomes sinful when it leads to harmful actions or when it is harbored in the heart. Jesus' teaching encourages self-awareness of our emotions and dispositions, calling for personal transformation to avoid sin.

What is meant by 'intensifying the law' in the context of the sermon?

Intensifying the law refers to Jesus' call for Christians to internalize the commandments, making them a matter of personal disposition and not just outward compliance. For instance, Jesus elevates the commandment 'Do not commit adultery' to include the lustful thoughts in one's heart, stressing the importance of purity within.

How does the sermon critique the wisdom of the world, particularly regarding societal trends?

The sermon critiques certain modern societal ideologies, such as 'woke wisdom' and 'critical race theory,' arguing that they foster division, offense, and antagonism rather than reconciliation and unity. The preacher contrasts these with the wisdom of God, which leads to peace, life, and unity.

What does the sermon say about the wisdom of gender fluidity?

The sermon briefly touches on the issue of gender fluidity, pointing out the inconsistency in how society accepts some aspects of human nature while rejecting others. It calls attention to the difference between accepting God's design and the societal push for fluidity in gender identity, suggesting that worldly wisdom often contradicts divine truth.

What is the overall call to action presented in the sermon?

The sermon calls Christians to make a conscious choice to follow the wisdom of God, which leads to life, and to reject the passing wisdom of this world. It encourages internalizing God's commandments, trusting in God, and living a life that reflects true spiritual wisdom rather than superficial or worldly views.