To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;
Fools despise wisdom and instruction. For waywardness kills the simple, and the complacency of fool’s destroys them;
But those who listen to me will be secure and will live at ease, without dread of disaster.
Proverbs 1: 2, 7, 32-33
The readings from scripture prescribed for today include the book of Proverbs for the first time. The very first words ever translated and written in the Armenian language are “To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding.” This very first chapter of Proverbs has so much wisdom to impart upon us. It is difficult to put into words how profound the wisdom of our ancient Church fathers is. The ancient Church, along with the king of Armenia at that time, realized that the ultimate strength that would provide us security and ensure our survival as a people was the translation of the Bible into our language, in order to ensure our Christian faith would be the foundation of our identity. Our history as a people, and the fact that we have survived (albeit through much suffering), proves that their ancient wisdom was correct. Our future survival as a people continues to depend on the strength of our faith. Who do we believe will save us? Who or what do we put our trust in? These are difficult questions. Proverbs 1:7 is the essence of the answer.
Let us pray with St. Gregory:
First and foremost let us consider this the measure
of what is good and favored in the eyes of God;
For the way to the holy of holies is through faith.
Without faith, the Lord of glory did not,
will not show his miraculous power to us,
asking first that his good work be met by our faith.
For this reason he who is with God is, of his own,
capable of receiving life,
for the blessed mouth of God has promised,
“your faith shall save you.”
Amen
Prayer 10 C
