In this month’s storytelling gathering, special guest
shared her experience discovering the “Wisdom Manifesto,” a passage from the Book of Wisdom, tucked into a friend’s manuscript of a novel. That was more than 20 years ago, and it changed the course of her life. She is now on a mission to help others discover the feminine Spirit of God. Here is the passage:Within her is a spirit intelligent, holy, unique, manifold, subtle, active, incisive, unsullied, lucid, invulnerable, benevolent, sharp, irresistible, beneficent, friendly to all, steadfast, dependable, unperturbed, almighty, all-surveying, penetrating all intelligent, pure and most subtle spirits. She is quicker to move than any motion. She is so pure, she pervades and permeates all things.
She is the breath of the power of God, pure emanation of the glory of the almighty, so nothing impure can find its way into her. She is a reflection of the eternal light, untarnished mirror of God’s active power, and image of all goodness. Although alone, she can do all. Herself unchanging she makes all things new. She turns people into God’s friends and prophets. She is indeed more splendid than the sun and outshines all the constellations. She deploys her strength from one end of the world to the other, and she governs the whole world for its good.
Book of Wisdom 7:22-30 New Jerusalem Bible
In our conversation afterward, we shared how we connect with these words.
also led an impromptu practice of discernment. She invited anyone with a pending decision to share and receive impressions the group might have to offer. It was a sweet time of being led by the Spirit to encourage, inspire, support, listen, guide, and hold each other. It’s beautiful to witness a spontaneous practice that leads to an opportunity for us to serve as guides and mentors to each other on our journey home, as Shelly said so well.As I continue to imagine new ways to experience church, this gathering gives me a glimpse of the ways that the Spirit, or Wisdom, is quietly creating partnership communities and governing the whole world for its good.
This was my first exposure to the Book of Wisdom. In my quick skim of its Wikipedia page, I learned that many early church leaders considered it canon. I am not sure why it fell out of favor with the church, but I am grateful for women like Shelly who are bringing it into the light. I’d love to hear more conversation in the comments if you weren’t able to make it.
How do these words resonate with you? Have you experienced Wisdom or Sophia as a feminine aspect of God?
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