From the Pastor:
What Did You Learn Today?

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;
fools despise wisdom and instruction.
~Proverbs 1:7

Dear Friends,

The first day of school ripples across our nation like the wave at a football game. Public school start-up days can range anywhere from July 17 to September 8, depending upon the state in which the student resides. When you read this, we will be just a few days from the opening of Union-Endicott elementary, middle, and high schools, September 4. In terms of start-up days, we in the northeast are the latecomers!

Most of us have some memories (fond or not) of our school days. We recall the acquisition of new shoes (saddle shoes!) or new backpacks. We think of our favorite teachers (Mrs. Kennedy! Sister Nicholas!). We remember school lunches (yum? yuck?). We remember the friends we made along the way, whether in 2nd grade or 12th (Nina, Jennifer, Eva!). We recall our favorite subjects (English! Religion!). We remember the things we learned that really stuck with us (the Beatitudes! Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, Acceptance) and we wonder whether we could do calculus/ name all the state capitols/ recite the periodic table today (I cannot).

But acquisition of knowledge is something that continues to occur throughout our lives. Every day we learn something new, whether we notice or not. (Today I learned that female pandas ovulate just a few times each year, and their babies are 1/900th of their mother’s size when they are born. Novels can teach you a lot!) Barring neurological issues, our brains are still sponges for much information and knowledge.

One of my favorite things about weekly Bible Study at UPC is the fact that, every time I “teach” a text, I learn more about it. I read new commentaries, and hear voices I’ve never heard before share their insights about these words of Jesus, or a psalm, or a prophet’s oracle. And without fail, I always learn from the “students” in the class (really, we’re all students). I hear insights I’ve never imagined, because not only is learning a life-long process, but so is the gaining of wisdom.

The Book of Proverbs begins, continues, and ends with the pursuit of Wisdom and avoidance of folly. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,” the book tells us. It’s important to know that “fear” is a loaded word that does not express the fullness of the human experience of God. The fullness of our experience of God is one in which we know steadfast love, develop a sense of humility before God, and, of course, a sense of awe. If our relationship with God were all about fear, how could we know God’s love?

Wisdom has been described as Knowledge + Experience, and I think that’s terrific shorthand for how wisdom finds its way into our souls. But scripture also urges us to seek it. Lady Wisdom (Proverbs personifies wisdom as a woman) has harsh words for those who reject knowledge—who don’t want to learn what they don’t know. But she also promises that those who week out wisdom will find a treasure far superior to silver and jewels. “Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity, every good path, for wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul; prudence will watch over you, and understanding will guard you” (Proverbs 2:9-11).

So, what have you learned today? I imagine most (if not all) of you already knew many of the things I mentioned in this letter. (Maybe not the panda stuff.) But I hope that, even as a reminder, you will continue to treasure and share the wisdom that the Spirit infuses you with as you walk through your days. Every blessing to you.

Grace and Peace, Rev. Pat