‘O God of my ancestors and Lord of mercy, who have made all things by your word,  and by your wisdom have formed humankind to have dominion over the creatures you have made,  and rule the world in holiness and righteousness, and pronounce judgement in uprightness of soul,  give me the wisdom that sits by your throne, and do not reject me from among your servants.  For I am your servant, the son of your servant-girl, a man who is weak and short-lived, with little understanding of judgement and laws;  for even one who is perfect among human beings will be regarded as nothing without the wisdom that comes from you.  You have chosen me to be king of your people and to be judge over your sons and daughters.  You have given command to build a temple on your holy mountain, and an altar in the city of your habitation, a copy of the holy tent that you prepared from the beginning.  With you is wisdom, she who knows your works and was present when you made the world; she understands what is pleasing in your sight and what is right according to your commandments. 

 

Send her forth from the holy heavens, and from the throne of your glory send her, that she may labour at my side, and that I may learn what is pleasing to you.  For she knows and understands all things, and she will guide me wisely in my actions and guard me with her glory.  Then my works will be acceptable, and I shall judge your people justly, and shall be worthy of the throne of my father. 

 

For who can learn the counsel of God? Or who can discern what the Lord wills?  For the reasoning of mortals is worthless, and our designs are likely to fail;  for a perishable body weighs down the soul, and this earthy tent burdens the thoughtful mind.  We can hardly guess at what is on earth, and what is at hand we find with labour; but who has traced out what is in the heavens?  Who has learned your counsel, unless you have given wisdom and sent your holy spirit from on high? 

 

And thus the paths of those on earth were set right, and people were taught what pleases you, and were saved by wisdom.’

 

 

Does there exist a ladder between heaven and earth, by which the angels ascend and des­cend? Or is there only a springboard which must be used by those wishing to “save them­selves”: a springboard, in other words, to escape the world? Is the Ascension of the Lord the final, and, so to speak, encompassing act of our salvation, or is it followed by a new coming of Christ—the Parousia, which will constitute not only judgment but also the beginning of a new, eternal advent of Christ on earth? The answer to this question was already given long ago in Christian faith, but it has hardly been paid sufficient attention. The answer is the foundational dogma of Christianity, the dogma of Divine-Humanity, of the created world united with the divine world. In the divine Wisdom, heaven has stooped down to earth. The world exists not only in itself, but also in God, and God abides not only in heaven, but also on the earth—in the world and in man. Christ said of Himself: “All power is given to me in heaven and on earth” (Mt. 28:18). Divine-Humanity is the dogmatic summons to spiritual ascesis as well as to creative work, to salvation from the world as well as to the salvation of the world. This is that dogmatic preaching which, in all its power and glory, should be proclaimed by Christ’s Church…. But this can be achieved only through a certain metanoia, a change of our entire worldview, which can occur by sophianically understanding the world as the Wisdom of God. Only this can communicate new powers to the world as well as a new inspiration for new creative work, for overcoming the mechaniza­tion of life and of man. In the sophianic worldview lies the future of Christianity. (Sergei Bulgakov)

 

 

 

I sought the Lord for Wisdom

Therefore I prayed and prudence was given

I preferred her to riches and gold

In comparison with her all glory will fade

 

Gold becomes like the merest sand

Silver is accounted as mire

Yet all good things come together in her

And countless riches at her hand

 

For she is artificer of all

And she is the gift from God

 

Simply I learned of Wisdom

Simply do I now share her with you

She is an unfailing treasure

And those who gain her win friendship with God

 

She is the sure of the light of God 

A pure effusion of His glory

She reflects eternal light

A spotless mirror of the image of God

For she is artificer of all

And she is the gift from God

 

I sought to take her for my bride

From my youth I sought her beauty

Beside her now I take my repose

Living with her brings love, joy and peace

 

In your wisdom, O God,
you have provided remedies for our human weakness.
Grant that we may joyfully accept your healing grace
and show its effect in the holiness of our lives.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever. Amen.