LOVING THE TWO HALVES OF LIFE:
The First Half

Friday, July 22, 2011
Feast of Mary Magdalene

Years ago, in my theology class, I questioned the distinction between
knowledge and wisdom as used both in Isaiah (11:2 [1]) and in Paul
(1 Corinthians 12:8-9 [2]). Weren ¢â‚¬â„¢t they two words for the same thing?
I realize now that they are indeed quite different. Knowledge is a gift
for the first half of life and is the collection of good information.
Wisdom transmutes that information into something very different, as it
synthesizes and integrates knowledge at a deeper level, usually through
suffering.

[1]:  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=isaiah%2011:2&version=NIV
[2]:  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%2012:8-9&version=NIV

We ¢â‚¬â„¢ve become familiar in our technological and psychological age with
the word synergy. A synergistic relationship is when a whole is created
that is greater than the sum of its parts. Wisdom, it seems to me, is
created by a wonderful synergy that goes beyond mere logic or
information. Paul seems to be describing it when he says  ¢â‚¬Å“God works
together with us ¢â‚¬  to create good (Romans 8:28 [3]) ¢â‚¬”a good that is beyond
either the sum of God or the soul, alone or apart. We first bring the
good information and then grace transforms it into a higher substance.
Those outside such a synergy usually cannot understand this kind of
wisdom (see 1 Corinthians 2:10-15 [4]), and those inside that synergy have
to bear their criticisms kindly. Perhaps that is what the Magdalene had
to do when she washed Jesus ¢â‚¬â„¢ feet publicly, stood at the foot of the
cross, and waited at the tomb for an impossible resurrection.

[3]:  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%208:28&version=NIV
[4]:  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%202:10-15&version=NIV

Adapted from Loving the Two Halves of Life: The Further Journey (CD, DVD, MP3)
http://store.cacradicalgrace.org/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=SP-C-38&Category_Code=&Store_Code=CFAAC

See also Fr. Richard’s latest book,
Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life
http://store.cacradicalgrace.org/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=CFAAC&Product_Code=SP-B-05&Category_Code=NR&Product_Count=0