The evenings between now and December 23rd are marked by the singing of the O Antiphons with Mary’s Magnificat. The Church links them in this way because the deep longing of each antiphon is perfectly embodied in Mary, who carries that very hope in her womb.

We begin tonight with the first of these seven antiphons:

O Wisdom, the living Word, you embrace all creation, you that have come forth from the Most High and ordered all things mightily but gently: Come, Lord, O come to teach us your way of prudence. —Magnificat antiphon for December 17

Throughout my childhood and teenage years, I had many piano teachers. They all had their style and methodology. In my undergraduate years, I had a great piano teacher who was not only good but also wise.

Dr. William Corbett Jones possessed a unique ability to pierce through musical complexity and illuminate the core mechanics, teaching me not just how to practice well, but why it matters. He stressed the necessity of prudent preparation. I was in the habit of restarting a piece from the beginning every time I hit a wrong note. Dr. Jones broke that habit by showing me how to meticulously locate the stumbling block, isolate the challenging measure, and perfect it right at the start of my practice time.

Dr. Jones had a seemingly laborious custom of numbering every note on the musical score from 1 to 5, mapping the exact fingering for both hands. Reflecting on this now, I understand the wisdom behind the method. It gave each finger and movement clear accountability. These simple yet profound lessons are how Dr. William Corbett Jones taught me wisdom in music.

In today’s antiphon we pray for Wisdom to come to us. Wisdom is the great teacher of our lives. Wisdom is the recognition that God is in control of the universe and this understanding naturally lends to prudence in one’s actions and decisions.

Prudence is about possessing sound judgement, discretion, and foresight. Prudence allows us to act as a child of God, wanting to please God at every moment. Proverbs reminds us of this:

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

This fear is not terror. This fear is holy surrender to our loving God that moves our hearts to humility and love for God’s law.

Solomon prays for wisdom as a King. He prayed:

God of my fathers, Lord of mercy, 
you who have made all things by your word
and in your wisdom have established man 
to rule the creatures produced by you,
to govern the world in holiness and justice, 
and to render judgment in integrity of heart (Wisdom 9:1).

Solomon petitions God for Wisdom so that he may govern people toward holiness and justice and that he bestow judgement with integrity.

In the world of AI we need Wisdom to come to us. AI can provide information instantly. AI helps us order our thoughts. What it does not give us is love and the answer to the deep meaning of life which is communion of God. Only God, who holds everything in order, invites us to trust him as he leads us on this journey of life. Come, O Wisdom. Do not delay.

Below is a clip from the monks of Saint John’s Abbey. Listen to it to help guide your meditation today.