Optional Memorial of Saint Callistus I, Pope and Martyr
Our Lord gives us two examples of those who heeded divine wisdom: the Queen of the South, and the Ninevites. Both are examples of gentiles, whom one would not expect to turn to the king of Judah or to listen to a prophet from a land not their own. And thus, Wisdom calls us to imitate that queen who was not discouraged by the difficulties and uncertainty of the lengthy journey that she had to undergo to hear the wisdom of Solomon. Christ calls us to open our ears to the prophet who we may be expected to (or tempted to) dismiss immediately without a second thought. Wisdom may be the fruit of facing great difficulties and challenges. Wisdom may be hidden in a guise we want to overlook. Christ crucified, overlooked by Pilate and others as negligible, abandoned by many as demanding too many difficulties, has been the source of true wisdom for those who seek and allow themselves to be docile enough to hear His voice. May we ask for the grace to heed Christ today in the humble channels of wisdom whom He sends us, or to whom He sends us.