“Listen
now to the word of the Lord.”
We often hear this before someone reads Scripture. Perhaps it is some other version of these words; but, more often than not, we are invited to listen. We listen to a variety of versions of these sacred texts as we hear with open ears, open eyes, and open hearts the Scripture today. These writings are rooted in the past yet hold wisdom for today.
Lately, I have been listening.
I’m still listening.
Every time I hear the word “listen,” I think of Lady Wisdom.
When I was in seminary, I learned about Lady Wisdom through my "Preaching and Worship" class. The first sermon I preached for this course was based on Proverbs 8. For our sermons in class, we provided our own translations of the text (this one from Hebrew). My translation of verse one was
“Listen!
Does not wisdom call, and does not understanding raise her voice?”
I invite you to read these selected verses (
1-4, 22-24, 30-36)
of the Proverbs 8 today.
1
Listen
! Does not wisdom call,
and does not understanding raise her voice?
2
On the heights, beside the way,
at the crossroads she takes her stand;
3
beside the gates in front of the town,
at the entrance of the portals she cries out:
4
“To you, O people, I call, and my cry is to all that live.
22
The Lord created me at the beginning of his work,
the first of his acts 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.
30
then I was beside God, like a little child,
and I was daily God’s delight,
rejoicing before God always,
31
rejoicing in God’s inhabited world
and delighting in humankind.
32
“And now, my children, listen to me:
happy are those who keep my ways.
33
Hear instruction and be wise,
and do not neglect it.
34
Happy is the one who listens to me,
watching daily at my gates,
waiting beside my doors.
35
For whoever finds me finds life
and obtains favor from the Lord;
36
but those who miss me injure themselves;
all who hate me love death.”
Where do you hear wisdom crying out? Who are you listening to?
What does it mean for God to delight in humankind (v. 31)?
How can we move from listening towards action?
Wisdom is calling, are you listening?
She’s calling on the streets. He's calling at the crossroads, at the Capitol, on the streets, all throughout this world. They are crying out for justice. They are crying out because they cannot breathe.
In the beginning when God created new life out of chaos, wisdom was there. Now, as God creates new life out of chaos each day, wisdom is still here.
Throughout this week, consider reading other versions of Proverbs 8. You can find the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV), New International Version (NIV), Common English Bible (CEB), and The Message (MSG)
here
. Notice which versions you prefer- what makes you comfortable or uncomfortable. Read the Scripture slowly, giving yourself space to fully listen to the words.
I invite you to listen to others this week. This is different than passively hearing words; but rather, truly listen. Actively listen. Ask questions. Research. Reflect. Have conversations. Share. Love. Hold one another accountable with respect, honesty, and dignity.
Listen now to the word of our Lord. Listen now to the words of our people. Thanks be to God.
A prayer* for this week:
Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace;
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
Grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console;
To be understood, as to understand;
To be loved, as to love;
For it is in giving that we receive,
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
And it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.
Amen
.
*attributed to St. Francis of Assisi
