Liturgical Perspective
Proverbs emphasizes the practice of
virtue in daily life in an international context, so there is less focus on the
liturgy than in some other books.
Nonetheless, a Christian reading of the Book does perceive some important
liturgical themes, even beyond a few individual proverbs that encourage
diligent participation in the cult (Prov. 3:9).
Proverbs
identifies “Fear of the LORD” as the beginning of wisdom, and the term “fear” conveys
an attitude of reverence, which is broader than, but would include, formal acts
of worship.
Far from being secular, wisdom in Proverbs flows out of a fundamental attitude and lifestyle characterized by religious reverence of the God of Israel.
Far from being secular, wisdom in Proverbs flows out of a fundamental attitude and lifestyle characterized by religious reverence of the God of Israel.
Both
Lady Wisdom and Lady Folly in the Prologue are characterized as calling out to
men from “the heights of the city.” The
heights of any ancient city, including Jerusalem, were the sacred precincts,
where the temple or temples were located.
Thus, Lady Wisdom and Lady Folly are portrayed as competing forms of
worship. Lady Wisdom represents the cult
of the LORD, characterized by marriage and covenant fidelity; whereas Lady
Folly represents foreign cults, characterized by fertility rituals and
promiscuity:
Prov. 9:1
Wisdom has built her house, she has set up her seven pillars. 2 She has slaughtered her beasts, she has
mixed her wine, she has also set her table.
3 She has sent out her maids to call from the highest places in the
town, 4 “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” To him who is without sense
she says, 5 “Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed. 6 Leave simpleness, and live, and walk in the
way of insight.”
Wisdom’s “house” with “seven
pillars” is a Temple image; the banquet with slaughtered beasts and mixed wine
is a sacred or sacrificial meal. For
good reason, then, the Lectionary treats this passage as a Eucharistic type to
be read in conjunction with the Bread of Life discourse in John 6.
The
nuptial theme that runs throughout Proverbs, in which the reader is encouraged
to enter into covenantal relationship with Divine Wisdom, also points forward
to the nuptial nature of the Eucharistic Liturgy, in which the Church, the
Bride, embraces the Body of her Bridegroom, who is Wisdom incarnate, in a
covenant-making (or –renewing) act of communion.
One
can say, in light of the New Covenant, that the Fear of the LORD, understood as
a disposition of worship, is both the beginning of Wisdom and its end (telos), just as the Eucharist is both
source and summit of the Christian life.
The
Use of Proverbs in the Liturgy
The three most significant passages
of Proverbs used in the Lectionary are three of the poems in which Wisdom is
personified as a woman, in Prov. 8, 9, and 31.
The significance of Prov. 8:22-31, the poem of Wisdom at work in
Creation, to early Church development of the doctrine of the Trinity is
reflected in the choice of this text for Trinity Sunday in Year C. Proverbs 9:1-6, the invitation to the banquet
set by Wisdom on the heights of the city, is clearly revealed as a Eucharistic
type by its association with John 6:51-58, during the reading of the entirety
of the Bread of Life Discourse in John 6 during Ordinary Time of Year B (Weeks
17–21). Finally, Lectionary holds up the
poem of the noble woman of Prov. 31 as an example of diligence in Christian
discipleship, in combination with the Parable of the Talents (33rd
Sunday in OT, Year A) or else on the feast days of saints, especially married
women who attained sanctity. Thus, in
the Church’s memory, perpetuated in the Liturgy, Proverbs is treasured for its
presentation of Wisdom as a person, which the Church sees fulfilled in Christ
and those who conform themselves to him.
Readings
from Proverbs for Sundays, Feast Days, Liturgical Seasons, and Other
Occasions
MSO=Masses for Special Occasions; OM=Optional Memorial; VM=Votive
Mass; Rit=Ritual
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Passage
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Description
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Occasion
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Explanation
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2:1-9
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The one who seeks wisdom diligently will ultimately find
it.
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Proper of St. Benedict; Rit. Blessing of Abbots/ Abbesses, opt. 1
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St. Benedict exemplified the diligent search for wisdom;
Abbots and Abbesses likewise need set an example in this regard.
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4:7-13
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Above all, one should acquire wisdom and treasure her
carefully, and she will bestow long life and honor.
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Rit. Blessing
of Abbots/ Abbesses, opt. 2
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Wisdom is a necessary attribute for the leader of a
monastic community.
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8:22-31
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God acquired Wisdom before all creatures, and Wisdom
assisted as a workman in the process of creation.
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Holy Trinity Sunday (C); Common of the BVM, opt. 5
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Wisdom active in creation is the Second Person of the
Trinity, now fully revealed in Jesus Christ.
Mary, who bore the Son of God, is likewise associated as the Seat of
Wisdom.
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9:1-6
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Wisdom builds her house, sets her table, and invites all
the simple to a rich feast.
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20th Sun. in OT (B); Rit. Installation of Acolytes; VM. Most Holy Eucharist
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Read with John 6:51-58, Wisdom’s invitation to a feast
appears as a clear type of the Eucharistic banquet, where Christ, who is
God’s wisdom, offers himself as food.
Acolytes are like the “maidservants” of Wisdom who help set the table
and invite the guests.
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31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31
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The noble woman is of great value; she does good all her
days, and receives praise at the city gates.
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33rd Sun. in OT (A); Common of Holy Men and Women,
opt. 11; Proper of St. Frances of Rome & St. Jane Frances de Chantal; Rit. Conferral of Marriage, opt. 6
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Read with the parable of the three servants and the
talents (Matt 25:14-30), the noble wife of Prov. 31 becomes the image and
example of the faithful servant of Christ who works diligently to bring good
to her Divine Bridegroom in his absence.
This eulogy of the excellent wife is particularly appropriate for
canonized married women, and for the conferral of the sacrament of
marriage.
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Reading of Proverbs for Daily Mass: Ordinary Time,
Year II: Week 25
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Day
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Passage Read
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Description
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M
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3:27-34
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A collection of
aphorisms about living in peace with one’s neighbors.
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T
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21:1-6
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Another collection of
proverbs, concerned mostly with the proper dispositions of the “heart” or center of a man’s existence.
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W
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30:5-9
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These proverbs urge
reverence for the Word of God and moderation of lifestyle
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VI.
In Brief
The Book of Proverbs is a collection of practical advice for
daily living, including observations and exhortations in support of practicing
the natural virtues and the natural law.
Its relationship with the larger structure of biblical theology is
secured by its association with Solomon.
From a canonical perspective, it represents the international form of
divine instruction Solomon provided for the international empire he ruled by
virtue of the Davidic covenant. The book
is remarkable for its personification of God’s attribute of Wisdom as a woman,
indeed, the ideal wife. The Church has
seen in this personification an anticipation of the Incarnation of the Second
Person of the Trinity, and of the role of Mary, Seat of Wisdom.
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