NOVEMBER 10, 2011, SAINT LEO THE GREAT:
WISDOM 7:22-8:1 ; LUKE 17:20-25
WISDOM IS A VIRTUE THAT IN A
CERTAIN MANNER INCLUDES IN HERSELF ALL THE GOOD QUALITIES OF EACH OF OUR
FACULTIES. The corollary of this fact reveals why wisdom is so
challenging to acquire in its fullness. It is this: we can possess true wisdom
only in the measure we have acquired all the other virtues. Although
intelligence and knowledge are essential for wisdom, they do not suffice, and
would seem to contribute less to wisdom than such virtues as faith, trust, and
generous love. We find evidence for this understanding of the virtue that is
called sapientia in Latin, in Greek, sophia. both
of which translate the Hebrew, hochma, the word
that Jesus was familiar with from his youth. That wisdom was sought after and
highly appreciated early in the history of Judaism is attested in numerous
passages in the Bible. In a manner, a person's worth is measured by the wisdom
displayed in living. The book of Proverbs, for instance, begins with setting
its purpose and summing up its teaching in these words: “To know wisdom and
discipline, get understanding of words, gain wise insight, be a man of
enlightened righteousness, good sense and equity; to give to the simple
cleverness, knowledge and resourcefulness to the youth. The wise man may hear
and increase his store of knowledge.” (Prov. 1:2-5) Perhaps the chief stimulus
for attaining to wisdom is given by
It is highly appropriate
that wisdom is so warmly commended to each of us here at this liturgy when we
honor Saint Leo the Great on his feast day. He possessed all the qualities of
mind and heart that the word of God associates with the true wisdom. Nor was he
lacking in that courage that is rendered all the firmer by confronting the
demands of duty at a time of political and theological challenges. He did not
hesitate to assert the authority of the Holy See in the face of error and
threatened division of the Church. He affirmed the primacy of the Roman See
when it was called into question by attitudes and acts of
The wisdom he displayed in
his ministry along with his informed and courageous resistance to threats was
so prominent in his ministry that he came to be known an
Leo the Great as well as receiving recognition of his holiness as a saint. He
demonstrates in his person and in his actions the truth that wisdom is attained
to not only by knowledge and understanding but also by courageous witness even
in the face of dangerous opposition.
Our Lord's teaching had already stressed for his followers that attaining to union with God entails not only understanding but also a loving trust. Education is incomplete and even misleading when its methods and attitudes fail to give major importance to both. Wisdom requires not only insight, prudence and informed knowledge; also essential, and more basic is the need for loving trust that integrates all we know with all that God tells us to value and commit our self to, with fidelity and courage. Saint Leo the Great is a living model of a man who achieved such an integration to the glory of God and for the well being of the true Church. May we profit from his intercession as well participate in this Eucharist so as to be more closely conformed to the Lord Jesus, who is made for us the wisdom of God and the powers of God.G