Knowledge
“There are those who seek knowledge for the sake of
knowledge; that is curiosity. There are
those who seek knowledge to be known by others; that is vanity. There are those who seek knowledge to serve;
that is love.” (St. Bernard of Clairvaux.)
All knowledge of God has value. The question is how will that knowledge affect
the way we live our life? As St. Bernard
points out, how we use the knowledge we gain determines its’ true value.
Studying scripture and the great saints and holy men and
women is a worthy endeavor. However, if
it simply satisfies a hunger for knowledge within us and nothing else of what value
is it? Unless the knowledge is used to
further our relationship with God all we’ve done is fill our head with data.
Even worse, if our intent in gaining great knowledge is so
that others will recognize us and praise our knowledge it may very well be
sinful. Such a use of knowledge reflects
a pride and sense of self-importance that offends God.
When we seek knowledge to better know God with the intent of increasing
our greater faith and devotion to Him then knowledge becomes what it is
intended to be. If we share the knowledge
with others in humility and love, we become evangelists, spreading the Good
News as intended. When our purpose for
learning comes from a desire to know Him better so that we may serve Him better
our knowledge is used for the purpose for which it is intended; the love of God.
Never stop learning of God.
There is so much to know that we can never learn it all in one
lifetime. Share the knowledge gained to
help others come to know God. Let the
knowledge lead to a deeper faith and relationship with our Lord.
God, help
me to know You better.
In knowing
You help me to serve you more fully.
May I humbly
and lovingly share that knowledge with others.
Amen
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