I have made you a light to the Gentiles, that you may be an instrument of salvation to the ends of the earth”–Acts 13:47
I learned something several years ago that I seem to continually ponder. In his book, Words of Wisdom (Novalis, 1999), Fr. Walter Vogels centers on the Wisdom literature of the Bible that has been called “the neglected side of biblical faith” (16). In liturgy, we more often hear texts from the Law and the Prophets in which salvation-history theology is presented. Wisdom literature does not belong here. Vogels says Wisdom writings could be considered as creation theology.
Vogel writes, “In the creation theology of the Wisdom literature, God has put humanity in charge. Individuals have to use their minds and reflect on their experience to determine for themselves what ought to be done. . .See–judge–act is how the wise function” (18). He states, “In salvation-history, God tells the human being what to do and how to act, since God is in charge” (17). “[In creation theology] God trusts people because God has endowed humanity with minds to think (Genesis 2:19). . .We grow not only by our successes but–sometimes more quickly–by our mistakes” (19). In the scripture above, both theologies are working. God makes us a light and we, in turn, will help create, as instruments who see, judge and act.
When our just God asks us to create a more just world, we are to use our minds and experiences to make this happen. We do not have to wait for God to tell us what specifically to do. It is already written in our hearts and we have only to see the unjust problem, discern the correct path, and respond.
This year is the tenth anniversary of Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’ encyclical. In the document, he expresses his distress for the earth and how we, humans, have been negligent. Do you feel the urgency of his call to respond? Our common home is crying out. Vogel writes, “In the Wisdom literature, God does not determine history, people do. . .After God created the universe and other living beings, as his last work on the final day, God created humanity and entrusted the world to them. . .Humankind is now in charge of its world (Genesis 2:15, Psalm 8)” (17). What will you do?
Barbara Molinari Quinby, MPS, Director
Office of Human Life, Dignity, and Justice Ministries
Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral Raleigh, NC