Are You Wise?

In today’s world education is central to everyone’s identity. As a society we spend billions of dollars annually on education, whether it be for preschoolers or graduate students. Around every corner is the enticement to more and more education, as if we can somehow become wise ‘just’ by sitting in a classroom. To become wise, we must have experience and that requires interaction with others in real time. Unfortunately, too, we can think we are wise, but when we interact with others we are like foolish babes.

At that time, the Lord began to upbraid the cities where most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent. “Woe to you, Chorazin! woe to you, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, it shall be more tolerable on the day of judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You shall be brought down to Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I tell you that it shall be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you.” At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to babes; yea, Father, so it was well pleasing before you.”

Matthew 11.20-26

Christ repeats the indictment. If only the ‘mighty works’ that had resulted in people’s hearts turning to Christ. It was as if they were sitting in a classroom and watching the teacher teach, only to leave their backpacks at their desks when they went home. “Thank you Father…..that you have hidden these things from the wise.” These words are our condemnation too because we have seen the wonders of God but we, like those in the indictment, do not dedicate our lives to Christ. We have become wise about the idea of God, but have never responded to the interaction with Him.

As I mentioned yesterday I am attending the Archdiocese of America Clergy Laity Assembly in New York City. Yesterday I participated in a conversation about how the pandemic affected the Church. Many were ‘bashing’ technology, and livestreaming in particular, as the reason people were not returning to Church. I think that is foolishness. The real problem as we have often blogged about at Be Transfigured Ministries is that we have failed to LIVE what we learned in Sunday School. Those who have not returned to ‘in person’ liturgy have not returned because they were rarely if ever receiving Holy Communion in the Church. Since many were just sitting and watching the Liturgy, it doesn’t matter if they watch from home or from the pews.

Why do I bring this up? We think we are wise, but in truth we are foolish as babes. Rather than experiencing the reality of Christ’s incarnation and the gift of Holy Communion, we have allowed worship to be a spectator sport, and I’m not just talking about congregational singing. Divine Liturgy without Holy Communion is like attending a banquet and refusing to eat. You may as well stay home. I can almost hear Christ now. “Woe to you Americans! If the Eucharist that is celebrated among you had been celebrated among Tyre and Sidon, they would have been saved!”