'Love righteousness, you who judge the earth; think of the Lord in goodness, and seek him in integrity of heart; Because he is found by those who do not test him, and manifests himself to those who do not disbelieve him. Because into a soul that plots evil wisdom does not enter, nor does she dwell in a body under debt of sin. Do not court death by your erring way of life, nor draw to yourselves destruction by the works of your hands. Because God did not make death, nor does he rejoice in the destruction of the living. For he fashioned all things that they might have being, and the creatures of the world are wholesome; There is not a destructive drug among them nor any domain of Hades on earth, For righteousness is undying (Wis. 1:1-2,4,12-15).’
The book of Wisdom focuses on divine wisdom and how God’s justice rewards or punishes individuals. We are to live a virtuous life in thought and action and trust in God so that we can obtain divine wisdom and possible union with God. We must seek God with a sincere heart and not grumble against God so that He does not punish us. The ultimate punishment is the loss of immortality. We should not court spiritual death, i.e., eternal separation from God, by doing evil deeds. Creation was made good. The body is not a source of sin in opposition to the soul. It was not God that made death and there is nothing in the physical world that can cause spiritual death. There is nothing from the abode of the dead that exists here on earth. Let us worship God in holiness and righteousness (Lk. 1:75) because righteousness leads to immortality, the freely granted divine gift of unending life with God.
Almighty God, your Son told us to seek first your kingdom and your righteousness and we would receive all things. We humbly ask for the grace of divine wisdom so that we may seek your kingdom and your righteousness which will lead us to unending life with you. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen!
References:
Raymond E. Brown, Joseph A. Fitzmyer, & Roland E. Murphy, (Eds.). (1990, 1968). The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentis Hall, Inc.
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