Who Are We?
The First Reading for the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time from the Book of Wisdom (Wisdom 9:13-18b), invites us to reflect on ourselves.
And so we begin with a simple, yet profound question: Who are we? We are more than body and biochemistry. We are more than what can be measured and analyzed. We are human beings, persons, we are people with a heart, a mind and a soul. We are creatures who design, who plan and who build.
From the first open fire to the oven, to electricity and now to modern technology: our world is full of remarkable discoveries. Yet, dear friends, we sense that this alone is not enough. At some point we begin to ask: What is it all for? What remains in the end? What makes my life valuable?
Truth and Honest in Wisdom
The Book of Wisdom speaks honestly about our mortality, as we heard it: “The corruptible body burdens the soul, and the earthen shelter weighs down the mind that has many concerns.” It is an image of how limited we are when we try to live by our own strength. And so Scripture reminds us: we need more than human achievements: we need God’s wisdom to guide us. And yet: it is good to strive for safety, for prosperity, and for a good quality of life. These are not wrong in themselves. But balance makes all the difference. If we make them our only goal, we risk becoming trapped by them, forgetting who we truly are.
That is why Biblical teaching calls us to honest self-knowledge, to humility.
Living Humility
Humility does not mean making ourselves small or belittling ourselves. It means living in gratitude, knowing that life is a gift, and that we depend on God. We are allowed to live - we are meant to live! To plan, to build, to research, to create — this belongs to our humanity.
But in all that we do, we must also ask ourselves: What goals am I really pursuing in my life? What is driving or pushing me forward? What mark do I leave on the lives of those around me? This concerns all our relationships: With family, with friends and with colleagues. And above all, most importantly: with God and his creation. Perhaps this is the most important question of all: Am I truly living in relationship with others Or am I only focused on myself all the time?
Knowledge is Not Enough
Knowledge alone is not enough to answer such questions. Knowledge can help us live well, it can guide us in daily life but it cannot satisfy our deepest longing.
That is why Jesus speaks so challengingly: “If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.” But of course, Jesus does not mean: Break with your family! What he does mean is this:
There is more. Your life is part of a greater plan.
Plan. But plan with God, so that you do not lose everything in the end.
Build. But build with God, so that your house of life will stand firm.
And when you fail, when you no longer know the way, be assured: it is precisely there that Jesus is near to you.
Following Jesus also means walking through times of darkness. Doubts are part of the journey. An on that journey, Jesus is near, as our brother, our Friend, our Savior. He is the living wisdom of God, not a theory, not secret knowledge, but a Person who stays with us.
Longing for Wisdom
And friends, this divine wisdom lives within us as a longing: a longing for meaning, for support, for guidance. As a longing for strong and life-giving relationships.
The Second Reading from his Letter to Philemon is the wonderful example of Saint Paul: He sits in prison. He could give into despair. But there, in his darkest hour, he becomes a spiritual father to a fellow prisoner. He shares with him faith, hope, and love. And that shows us: we too can become brothers and sisters to one another, strengthening, encouraging, and supporting each other.
Friends, this is the heart of biblical wisdom: God meets us in Jesus Christ, so that our lives may gain direction, depth, and purpose. So that we do not only know but live with wisdom.
Dear brothers and sisters, let us accept this invitation: Let us plan our lives - but plan with God. Let us build our house of life - but with him as the foundation. And let us trust that even our darkness will be brightened by his light.
Praised be Jesus Christ, now and forever.