Memorial of Saint Martin of Tours, bishop
(Wisdom
7:22-8:1; Luke 17:20-25)
An article
just published in First Things gives examples for today’s lesson from
the Book of Wisdom. The writer shows how
Leo Tolstoy sees wisdom embracing more than theoretical knowledge. Wisdom, he would say, includes an understanding
of how things work in a particular place and time. It is born at least as much from experience as
from books. In War and Peace Tolstoy
tells of how a general dismisses elaborate plans to defeat Napoleon as
contingent on too many factors. The
general realizes that the deciding factor is always the morale of his army aimed
in the right direction.
The Book of
Wisdom likewise teaches that wisdom is more than knowledge. It is intelligent but also beneficent,
unstained, and firm. Wisdom enters into people
so that they might know what God expects of them. Because of wisdom, humans can do all kinds of
things that please God.
Today the
Church remembers one of the wisest saints of antiquity. St. Martin of Tours was a soldier who retired
his sword to serve Christ. He became a
monk and later a bishop. He was renowned
for his ability to convert pagans, administer Church needs, and work for
reconciliation among differing parties.
