Choosing Ignorance

What does it mean to be wise? The Scriptures tell us that someone can be intelligent, educated, wealthy, or prestigious, but lack wisdom. Fools come in all kinds of shapes and sizes. In the past, I have challenged people considering Christianity to read the book of Proverbs. Proverbs is "wisdom literature." It makes statements based on truths garnered by watching the repeated actions of people and their connection (or disconnection) to the very character of God. In time, we humans always reveal our true selves.

In this week's Gospel reading (Matthew 21:23-32), we are confronted with a story where Jesus chooses to be cagey with the Jewish leaders who he knows have come to entrap him. They want him dead and gone. But the timing for Jesus and his redemptive work on the cross is not right, so Jesus chooses to be wise instead of simple. God calls us to turn from being simpletons and instead, be wise. To stay simple is to choose to have an "arrested development"; to stay childish and ignorant so as to avoid the complexity and the pain of maturity. Simplicity may seem easier, but in the end, it brings harm and consequences to everyone it touches. Wisdom brings light and life.

The Book of Proverbs reveals to the reader three different kinds of people; those who are wise, fools, or scoffers. God calls us to seek after Him, and in doing so, seek out wisdom. Things end badly for fools and scoffers. The wise walk in the ways of Jesus and find life abundant. But, if we want to stay ignorant so that we can live in a fantasy of our own making, God will not force wisdom upon us. Wisdom cries out, but the simple must respond to her call:

Proverbs 1:

20 Wisdom cries out in the street;
in the squares she raises her voice.
21 At the busiest corner she cries out;
at the entrance of the city gates she speaks:
22 ‘How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple?
How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing
and fools hate knowledge?
23 Give heed to my reproof;
I will pour out my thoughts to you;
I will make my words known to you.
24 Because I have called and you refused,
have stretched out my hand and no one heeded,
25 and because you have ignored all my counsel
and would have none of my reproof...

Faith and love for God will "hunger and thirst after righteousness". Such a person desires to be continually "conformed to the image of the Son" (Jesus). Remaining ignorant is about our desire for control and a rebellion against God. Let us choose the wisdom of God so that we might avoid the life and mistakes of the fool.

Fr. Tom