Recorded around the third century before the birth of Christ, these words sound like a distinctive summing up of the dramatic history of the people of Israel: the ways of God were revealed in it, and through all the despair and failures the truth emerged: God has mercy. At every moment of history...
Recorded around the third century before the birth of Christ, these words sound like a distinctive summing up of the dramatic history of the people of Israel: the ways of God were revealed in it, and through all the despair and failures the truth emerged: God has mercy. At every moment of history, to the one living through another turn of events, the mercy of God may be not at all obvious, and only after time has passed are people able to see it. Thus human history becomes a source of God's Revelation about Himself.
The tragedy of history did not disappear after the composition of the book of Wisdom, and therefore the Revelation recorded by its author is so important for us: relying on it, we gain ground for hope. It is very difficult to see, through all the sufferings of the world, God disposed to spare everyone. Whole generations renounced faith because they could not discern this, but the word has nevertheless been spoken, and we have the opportunity to hear it. At the same time, like every Revelation of God, it also has a practical aspect: created in the image and likeness of God, we are called to become like Him precisely in this, to be disposed to spare everyone.
