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Sirach 14:26 "[He who pursues wisdom] will place his children under her shelter, and will camp under her boughs". 

 

It's interesting that I have had Sirach, a Wisdom book, two days in a row, and both times about children. My children's spiritual well-being has been my primary focus for some time. In today's Gospel at Mass, Jesus exhorts us to be persistent in prayer, and asks "What father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish?" As I listened, I reminded God that I have been banging on His door asking for a fish for some time, and I really don't want a snake! I think today's verse is a gentle reminder from the Holy Spirit that, although I may not always have been seeking Wisdom, I am now, and by doing so I am placing my children under her shelter. My persistent prayers for them are not unheard, and God will not give me a snake, but my children are adults in their own right, and they must choose wisdom for themselves.

 

No one wants to be dragged on a camping trip to Wisdom by their parents, and they wouldn't stay if they were. God the Father knows this better than anyone, but He will not forget my children, they are primarily His children, after all. My prayers are helping keep my children under Wisdom's protection. Meanwhile, God will continue moving in their lives until they willingly camp under her boughs, and there will be no snakes in their campsite when they do.