Jubilee: Armed forces, artists, deacons
Proverbs 24:14
“So shall you know wisdom for your soul; if you find it, there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off.”
This verse is taken from the book of Proverbs, which begins with nine chapters dedicated to wisdom, followed by an anthology of proverbs. The teachers of the Ancient Israelite school developed and formulated principles to guide individuals in making choices, decisions, and setting a proper course for life.
Wisdom is depicted as a feminine figure whose attributes, according to many biblical scholars, are those of God Himself. Many Church Fathers interpreted Wisdom as the very Spirit of God, who bestows His gifts upon humanity. Wisdom, then, is Christ Himself, the Incarnate Word. Whoever finds Him finds the Hope of Eternal Life.
If you find this Wisdom, “there is a future,” as the verse from Proverbs states, because Christ grants you an endless life – a Blessed Life, a “tasty” life, full of meaning, ensuring that “your hope will not be cut off.”
Verse 14 is preceded by another verse that says: “Eat honey, my child, for it is good, and the honeycomb is sweet to your taste.” The term “wisdom” comes from the Latin verb sàpere, which means “to taste.”
A wise person truly knows how to savor life because their soul is purified, and their “spiritual taste buds” can enjoy what those seeking immediate physical pleasures cannot appreciate. This wisdom is sweet and allows us to foretaste happiness and eternal bliss. Moreover, this wisdom is very practical: it guides us in every moment of life and reveals our mission, the very purpose for which we were born. In this way, our hope remains steadfast because we can feel useful and, therefore, happy.
In February, three groups celebrate their jubilee: the armed forces, artists, and deacons. What do these groups have in common? Service.
The armed forces contribute to the protection of the national community; artists help us discover beauty, thus enriching our lives; and the deacon is one who serves, as the etymology of the word itself suggests. When we serve, we are happy because we feel useful. Those who do not feel useful often lose the will to live and, consequently, lose hope.
Work indeed dignifies humanity. However, it is necessary to work without anxiety, trusting in God’s Providence. When our efforts fall short, we offer ourselves with generosity. On this subject, I recall anecdotes from the book The Faith of the Poor, recently published by Bishop Giuseppe Mani.
Pope John Paul II had tasked him with overseeing family ministry in Rome and had invited him to a working lunch with other collaborators. At that time, the challenges facing families were already considerable. John Paul II placed great emphasis on evangelization and the family, saying: “You must work; you must work intensely.” Then he added: “But without worry, because Our Lady takes care of us.”
Seeing our work and service in this way lifts a heavy burden from our shoulders. At times, we feel powerless in the face of challenges beyond our capacity and unsure how to address the many needs of others.
Bishop Mani, in the same book, recounts the story of Mrs. Michelina, a mother of eight children. She told him: “It is very difficult for me to personally follow my children in their studies, the friends they keep, their sports activities, and to try to anticipate their desires… It would drive me crazy… But by talking to God and Our Lady, I manage to stay available and joyful. It is wonderful to be the mother of eight children, even if it’s challenging; I couldn’t imagine having even one less.”
Regarding the armed forces, another story from Bishop Mani comes to mind. In 1996, during the Bosnian war, Pope John Paul II sent Bishop Mani as the head of the military chaplaincy. Italian soldiers were engaged in peacekeeping operations. What struck Bishop Mani profoundly was witnessing the dedication of these soldiers. Despite receiving a modest salary for their service, they often gave it away to the local people who were destitute.
Many of these soldiers came from humble backgrounds, with families depending on their earnings, while others were serving to save money for their weddings upon returning home. It was moving to see young people give away everything. As mentioned, feeling useful brings happiness.
But can we still be useful when we seem to be useless? Here lies the beauty of the Christian paradox: when you accept being “useless,” you become incredibly useful. Jesus chose to redeem us through the cross when His hands and feet were immobilized. In a moment of utter helplessness, He performed the greatest act of service: offering His life to conquer death.
In any moment or situation, we can always love in some way: we can offer a smile, lend a hand, encourage someone, give good advice, or pray for others. In short, we can give our lives. This is the highest form of service we can render to humanity.
Lord, help me see how I can serve today, how I can give my life today.
Concrete resolution: This month, I will look for ways to serve. When I feel useless, I will try not to complain but instead see how the Lord is using me for my good and the good of others.
This month’s meditation is by Sr. Loredana, AVI.
