The fact that Wisdom is personified as a woman has fascinated me my entire life...
Welcome to Brothers and Sisters, the weekly meetup for prayer* and community at Daily Kos. We put an asterisk on pray* to acknowledge that not everyone uses conventional religious language, but may want to share joys and concerns, or simply take solace in a meditative atmosphere. Anyone who comes in the spirit of mutual respect, warmth and healing is welcome.
Follow me below the squiggly-doodle to explore this further:
Wisdom 6:12-16
12 Wisdom is brilliant, she never fades. By those who love her, she is readily seen, by those who seek her, she is readily found.
13 She anticipates those who desire her by making herself known first.
14 Whoever gets up early to seek her will have no trouble but will find her sitting at the door.
15 Meditating on her is understanding in its perfect form, and anyone keeping awake for her will soon be free from care.
16 For she herself searches everywhere for those who are worthy of her, benevolently appearing to them on their ways, anticipating their every thought.
This was the first reading at church today... and if it was meant to make me think, it surely worked! I have pondered Wisdom in many forms today.
Wisdom is a deep understanding and realization of people, things, events or situations, resulting in the ability to apply perceptions, judgements and actions in keeping with this understanding. So says my friend, Wikipedia. Wikipedia also sent me to look for these pictures:
Wisdom Personified as Sophia (Greek for "wisdom")
Hildegard of Bingen's art depicting Ecclesia and Sophia (Catholic Christian art)
Sophia... Σοφíα... Wisdom...
Sophia as Wisdom has found her way into many religious traditions. Wisdom as a concept (and often in the form of woman) factors prominently in the Old Testament books of Proverbs, Psalms, Song of Songs, Ecclesiastes, Book of Wisdom, Wisdom of Sirach.
In both Jewish and Christian traditions, there are folks who believe that Sophia IS the Wisdom of God.
In Eastern Orthodox traditions, "Sophia!" or "Wisdom!" is often called out by a deacon or priest to draw attention to a sacred teaching.
St. Sophia and her daughters, Faith Hope and Love:
Sophia is also seen as the Goddess of Wisdom and Fate, and is the Divine Feminine and the Mother of Creation.
(I love how Sophia is often pictured with red hair!)
So, how do you see (seek) Wisdom?