RELIGION AND ART

Wisdom takes care of those who look for her, she raises them to greatness.  Loving her is loving life itself; rising early to look for her is pure joy.  Anyone who obtains Wisdom will be greatly honoured. Wherever he goes, the Lord will bless him.  Wisdom's servants are the servants of the Holy One, and the Lord loves every- one who loves her.  Those who obey her will give sound judgments; those who pay attention to her have true security..... But if you go astray, she will abandon you and let you go to your own ruin.  4:11-19 Readings

My child, if you are going to serve the Lord, be prepared for times when you will be put to the test. Be sincere and determined. Keep calm when trouble comes. Stay with the Lord; never abandon him, and you will be prosperous at the end of your days.  Accept whatever happens to you.  Even if you suffer humiliation, be patient. Gold is tested by fire, and human character is tested in the furnace of humiliation.  Trust the Lord, and he will help you. Walk straight in his ways, and put your hope in him...... The Lord is kind and merciful; he forgives our sins and keeps us safe in time of trouble.  Sir 2:1-11 Readings

All wisdom comes from the Lord and with him it remains forever, and is before all time. The sand of the seashore, the drops of the rain, the days of eternity: who can number these? Heaven's height, earth's breath, the depths of the abyss: who can explore these? Before all things else wisdom was  created; prudent and understanding, from eternity. The word of God on high is the fountain of wisdom, and her ways are everlasting....... Sir. 1:1-10 Readings

Saul set off and went down to the wilderness of Ziph, accompanied by three thousand men chosen from Israel to search for David in the wilderness of Ziph. So in the dark David and Abishai made their way towards the force, where they found Saul asleep inside the camp, his spear stuck in the ground beside his head, with Abner and the troops lying round him. Then Abishai said to David, "Today God has put your enemy in your power; so now let me pin him to the ground with his own spear. Just one stroke! I will not need to strike him twice."  David answered Abishai, "Do not kill him, for who can lift his hand against the Lord's anointed and be without guilt?.... Readings