Search out and seek, and she will become known to you;
and when you get hold of her, do not let her go.
For at last you will find the rest she gives,
and she will be changed into joy for you.
– Ecclesiasticus 6:27-28
Lectio Divina
Image source: God2-Sistine Chapel.png – Wikimedia Commons
Proverbs 8:14, 22-31
14 I have good advice and sound wisdom;
I have insight; I have strength.
22 The Lord created me at the beginning of his work,
the first of his acts of long ago.
23 Ages ago I was set up,
at the first, before the beginning of the earth.
24 When there were no depths I was brought forth,
when there were no springs abounding with water.
25 Before the mountains had been shaped,
before the hills, I was brought forth,
26 when he had not yet made earth and fields
or the world’s first bits of soil.
27 When he established the heavens, I was there;
when he drew a circle on the face of the deep,
28 when he made firm the skies above,
when he established the fountains of the deep,
29 when he assigned to the sea its limit,
so that the waters might not transgress his command,
when he marked out the foundations of the earth,
30 then I was beside him, like a master worker,
and I was daily his delight,
playing before him always,
31 playing in his inhabited world
and delighting in the human race.
1. Read the scripture through one time.
What word, phrase, or image strikes you, sits on your heart?
if doing the practice in a small group, go around the group allowing each person to say his or her word, phrase, or image with no comments.
If doing the practice alone, record you word, phrase or image in a journal or notebook.
2. Read the scripture a second time, using a different Bible translation. If working in a group, have a different person read the scripture.
How does this word, phrase, or image relate to you today?
if doing the practice in a small group, go around the group allowing each person to say his or her word, phrase, or image with no comments.
If doing the practice alone, record you word, phrase or image on paper or in a journal or notebook.
3. Read the scripture a third time, using a different Bible translation and a different reader if working in a group.
What is the personal invitation to you from Sophia? What is wisdom calling you to do or be?
If in a group, give each person five minutes to answer.
If doing the practice alone, respond in words, poetry, or art in a journal or notebook.
Closing Liturgy: Finding our Wisdom
Opening Collect: Proverbs 8:32-36
Now children, listen to me:
Happy are those who keep to my ways!
33 Listen to instruction, and be wise;
don’t avoid it.
34 Happy are those who listen to me,
watching daily at my doors,
waiting at my doorposts.
35 Those who find me find life;
they gain favor from the Lord.
36 Those who offend me injure themselves;
all those who hate
Prayers
The Star in my Heart:
Wisdom is bright and does not grow dim. By those who love her she is readily seen, and found by those who look for her. (Wisdom 6:12)
Sophia, take me by the hand, bless the frailty of my weak places.
Far-Seeing Eyes
Wisdom is so pure, she pervades and permeates all things. (Wisdom 7:24)
May I live each day with heartiness, knowing that Wisdom is the breath of the power of God.
The Enchanted Forest
She will give the bread of understanding to eat and the water of wisdom to drink. (Ecclesiasticus 15:3)
You constantly care for my inner being, sending water for refreshments and weeding when weaknesses grow tall.
Leaf by Leaf by Leaf
Sophia is my counselor in prosperity and my comfort in cares and sorrows. (Wisdom 8:9)
You give me room to shed my tears and nurture me as I befriend the voices of my pain.
Treasured Memories
For memories of Wisdom are sweeter than honey (Ecclesiasticus 24:30)
Be my constant reminder that gratitude is at the core of a healthy spiritual life.
Sophia will guide me prudently in my undertakings. (Wisdom 9:11)
You help me to search with confidence as I find my way to inner peace.
Closing Prayer: Wordless Praise for Sophia
Wise One who claims my heart,
how can I name you to others?
How can I ever capture
the reflection of your radiance
rising in profuse grandeur
on the glittering sea of my soul?
It is like trying to capture
the essence of a harvest moon
rising in full orange orbness,
sparkling glory on a September sea.
Some moments have no words.
Some relationships have no narration.
They rise silently like the swelling path
of the full moon in a harvest sky,
like the soundless rise and fall
on the breath of one who sleeps gently.
No need to capture, control, contain,
only to be present to the rising,
only to be aware of the silent breathing,
only to be with the unexpected illumination.
It is enough to rest in your love.
It is enough to taste your goodness.
It is enough to call you by name.
It is enough. It is enough.
“The first (one) did not know wisdom fully, nor will the last one fathom her.” Ecclesiasticus 24:29
Joyce Rupp. Prayers to Sophia: A Companion to “The Star in My Heart” (Kindle Locations 488-491). Kindle Edition. Pages 106-107 in the printed book.
The Wisdom Years 