The Love of Eternal Wisdom by St. Louis De Montfort

[Stone]

THE LOVE OF ETERNAL WISDOM

CHAPTER 5. MARVELOUS EXCELLENCE OF ETERNAL WISDOM

In the eighth chapter of the Book of Wisdom, the Holy Spirit shows the excellence of eternal Wisdom in terms so sublime and yet so clear that we need only quote them here, adding a few reflections.

1. 'Wisdom reaches mightily from one end of the earth to the other and orders all things graciously." Nothing is so gracious as eternal Wisdom. Of his very nature he is gracious without bitterness; gracious to those who love him, never showing displeasure; gracious in his conduct, never showing severity. He is so gentle and unobtrusive that you might often think that he is not present when you meet with accidents and contradictions. But, possessed of invincible power, he quietly but effectively brings all things to a happy issue in ways unknown to men. After his example, the wise man should be graciously firm and firmly gracious - suaviter fortis et fortiter suavis.


2. "From my youth I have loved and sought him and desired to take him for my inseparable companion."

Whoever wishes to find this precious treasure of Wisdom should, like Solomon, search for him:
a. early and, if possible, while still young;
b. purely and spiritually as a chaste young man seeks a bride;
c. unceasingly, to the very end, until he has found him.

It is certain that eternal Wisdom loves souls so much that he even espouses them, contracting with them a true, spiritual marriage which the world cannot understand. History furnishes us with examples of this.


3. "Wisdom shows his glorious origin by being so intimately in union with God and by being loved by him who is Lord of all."

Wisdom is God himself - such is his glorious origin. God the Father has testified that he is pleased with him proving how much Wisdom is loved (Cf. Chapter One and No. 98).


4. "Wisdom is the teacher of the knowledge of God and director of all his works."

Eternal Wisdom alone enlightens every man that comes into this world (Jn. 1:9). He alone came from heaven to teach the secrets of God (Cf. Jn. 1:18; Mt. 11:27; 1 Cor. 2:10). We have no real teacher (Mt. 23:8,10) except the incarnate Wisdom, whose name is Jesus Christ. He alone brings all the works of God to perfection, especially the saints, for he shows them what they must do and teaches them to appreciate and put into practice all he has taught them.


5. "If it is riches we seek in this life, who is richer than divine Wisdom who created all things?"


6. "If the mind of man can produce things, who is more able than the fashioner of everything that exists?"


7. "If someone loves holiness, again the great virtues are the handiwork of Wisdom, for he teaches temperance and prudence, justice and fortitude, and nothing in this life is more useful than these." Solomon clearly shows that since we should love Wisdom alone, then from Wisdom alone we should expect all things - material goods, knowledge of nature's secrets, all spiritual good, the theological and cardinal virtues.


8. "If anyone desires knowledge, eternal Wisdom knows the past and can forecast the future. He understands the subtleties of speech and the lessons of parables. He recognizes signs and wonders and knows all that is going to happen as seasons and ages pass by."

If anyone desires to possess a deep, holy and special knowledge of the treasures of grace and nature, and not merely dry, common and superficial knowledge, he must make every effort to acquire Wisdom. Without him, man is nothing in the sight of God, no matter how learned he may appear in the eyes of men. "He will count for nothing" (Wisd. 3:17).


9. "I therefore resolved to take him as my companion in life, knowing that he would share his goods with me and be my consolation in my cares and sorrows."

Eternal Wisdom is so rich and generous; how can anyone who possesses him be poor? He is so gentle, attractive and tender; how can anyone who possesses him be unhappy? But among all those who seek eternal Wisdom how many can honestly say with Solomon, "I have resolved to possess him"? The majority of men do not make such a resolution with real sincerity. Their decisions are mere wishful thinking or at best weak and wavering resolves. That is why they never find eternal Wisdom.


10. "Through him, I shall be acclaimed among the people and, although still a youth, honoured by the elders."


11. "I shall be considered shrewd when I sit in judgment. The most powerful will be surprised when they see me and princes will show their admiration for me."


12. "When I am silent, they will wait for me to speak; when I speak, they will pay attention to what I say. If I speak at some length, they will place their hands on their lips."


13. "He it is who will give me immortality, and through him I shall leave an everlasting remembrance to those who come after me."


14. "I shall govern people through him and nations shall be my subjects."

St Gregory has this comment to make on Solomon's self- praise, " Those whom God has chosen to write his sacred words are filled with the Holy Spirit. In a way, they seem to rise above themselves and enter into the very one who possesses them. Thus they become mouthpieces of God himself, for they are concerned with God alone in everything they say, and they speak of themselves as though speaking of someone else."


15. "The most formidable kings shall be afraid when they hear of me. I shall show myself kind to my people and valiant in war."


16. "When I go home, I shall be at my ease with Wisdom, for his conversation is never disagreeable nor his company unpleasant. With him there is only contentment and joy."


17. "I thought about these things and I reflected in my heart that immortality is found in union with Wisdom."


18. "I found pure contentment in his friendship, inexhaustible wealth in his accomplishments, understanding in his teaching and conversation, and great joy listening to his counsels; and so I went about seeking him everywhere to make him my companion."

After summing up his previous commentary, Solomon draws this conclusion: "I went about seeking for eternal Wisdom in all directions." To possess him we must seek ardently; in other words, we must be ready to give up everything, to suffer everything, in order to obtain possession of him. Only a few find him because only a few look for him in a manner worthy of him.


In the seventh chapter of the Book of Wisdom, the Holy Spirit speaks of the excellence of eternal Wisdom in these terms: "In Wisdom there is a spirit that is intelligent, holy, unique, fruitful, subtle, eloquent, active, unsullied, lucid, gentle, benevolent, keen, irresistible, beneficent, kindly, firm, unfailing, unperturbed, all-powerful, all-seeing, possessing every spirit, understandable, pure and subde. For Wisdom is more active than any active thing. He is so pure he penetrates all things" (Wisd. 7:22-24).

"Wisdom is an infinite treasure for men. Those who have utilized this treasure have become God's friends, and praiseworthy for their gifts of knowledge".

After reading such powerful but tender words which the Holy Spirit uses to show the beauty, the excellence and the treasures of eternal Wisdom, we cannot but love him and search for him with all our strength. All the more so since he is an inexhaustible source of riches for man who was made for him and infinitely eager to give himself to man.