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Good morning.

I think that one of the most important of our everyday challenges in life is the way we make decisions. How do we nurture a quality of mind that allows us to make good decisions, to see things clearly, to get to the heart of the matter and respond as best we can to the dilemmas of life? We often see a wisdom in those who have learned, through patience and practice, how to navigate a way through life’s difficulties. I suspect there is no shortcut to the acquisition of this kind of wisdom, and we know very well that there are no simple answers to life’s hardest questions, but I wonder if there are ways we can give more attention to the cultivation of wisdom in our lives.

Thomas Merton, in his poem Hagia Sophia which I’ve been exploring during this week’s programmes, describes Wisdom in this way: ‘She is life as communion, life as thanksgiving, life as praise, life as festival, life as glory.’

That word ‘communion’ is important. We know that we don’t make our best decisions when we are separated from others but if we remain connected with them, we draw on their encouragement and insight. ‘Thanksgiving’ is also a key word. A life lived in gratitude is a life in which we are constantly embracing all that enhances life. These are some essential components of a life that seeks to grow in wisdom. 

Holy wisdom of God,

Teach us each day to form our lives

in the spirit of gratitude and communion that we may grow in wisdom.

When we face hard decisions or daunting challenges,

Fill us with your peace and light that we may respond well.

Amen.