All Knowledge Belongs to God. By: C.C.

"Learning unsupported by grace may get into our ears;it never reaches the heart.But when God's grace touches our innermost minds to bring understanding,his word which has been received by the ear sinks deep into the heart."(St. Isidore of Seville)

  To thirst for knowledge is a wonderful thing. But if we forget the role of our Divine Instructor then our thirst and desire for learning may be rooted in a selfish hunger. The primacy of our desire to know anything must be to know Christ, as to better understand ourselves and our own human condition. The desire to know God is noble and one that will turn one's heart and mind to things that matter most. This seeking should lead us above all toward the heart of our Lord so that we may work to cultivate love for all according to His will (as we hear echoed in today's Gospel reading).

   To know Christ should lead us to serve Him most ardently with great fervour. Yet, many seek the Lord at times only to accredit themselves with knowledge. This knowledge does not belong to them, but most intimately with our Lord. An empty pursuit of wisdom leads one into themselves and not into the depth of Christ. In turn, one serves self violently, becoming disillusioned and only giving rise to their ego. Perhaps, at first this is unintentional and without malice. It is a slow winding path born from an apparent good and leading to the ill of pride. The subtle manner in which sin grasps the heart must be safe guarded by continuous surrender and love of the Sacraments. 

   The authentic desire to know God and love Him will be rewarded with a pure gift of wisdom. Such a gift demands responsibility. It must be embraced by humility, harvested by charity, and always shown through love. The wisdom that God gives to us should cultivate and foster love for His ways. It is not meant for division but for unity. Another's salvation is not to become our business or our pursuit if in doing this work we place ourselves above them and not among them! God has pursued us. It is He who saves. We are to concern ourself most with serving Him. We must recall time and time again our baseness and unworthiness, and His generous mercy!

  The hard hearted man remains in his head and pursues intellect alone, the virtuous man enters into his most inner self to grow in virtue and to gain wisdom. Let us pray to seek and serve with purity of intention so that the fruits may be plenty. (CC)