Wednesday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time

ORIGEN:

Observe how holy and how marvelous is the sequence of things. Do not imagine that wisdom will come before its enactment in deeds. The deeds ought to come first, and wisdom sought afterwards.… We ought not teach others before we ourselves are instructed and rational. After these things, however, “truth” is added because “truth” is the highest wisdom. The prophet also preserves this same order when he says, “Sow for yourselves righteousness and reap the fruit of life; illuminate yourselves with the light of knowledge.” See how he does not first say, “Illuminate yourselves with the light of knowledge,” but first, “Sow for yourselves righteousness.” It is not sufficient just to sow, but he says, “reap the fruit of life” so that after these you can fulfill what follows, “illuminate yourselves with the light of knowledge.” ¹

JOHN CASSIAN:

Therefore, if you are concerned to attain to the light of spiritual knowledge not by the vice of empty boastfulness but by the grace of correction, you are first inflamed with desire for that blessedness about which it is said, “Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God.” [Thus] you may also attain to that about which the angel said to Daniel: “Those who are learned shall shine like the splendor of the firmament, and those who instruct many in righteousness like the stars forever.” And in another prophet: “Enlighten yourselves with the light of knowledge while there is time.” ²

1. HOMILIES ON LEVITICUS 6.4.4. Ferreiro, A. (2003). Introduction to the Twelve Prophets. In A. Ferreiro (Ed.), The Twelve Prophets (p. 42). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
2. CONFERENCE 14.9.1. Ferreiro, A. (2003). Introduction to the Twelve Prophets. In A. Ferreiro (Ed.), The Twelve Prophets (p. 42). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.