The noun, rumination, means a deep considered thought about something.

The word, wise, means having or showing good sense or judgement.

Last Friday, I decided to place the solar cover on top of our above ground pool. The weather was predicted to rain last weekend and to also be cold. The solar cover helps to keep the pool water from getting too cold and also protects the water from things that might blow in the sky during inclement weather, sometimes landing on top of the pool. Placing a pool cover on the pool under such conditions makes one “pool wise.”

When my children were growing up, I often talked to them about the value of being “street wise;” always aware of one’s surroundings and avoiding places where one can be the victim of a criminal encounter.

Every year, in the fall and spring, homeowners or renters are asked to be “house wise,” changing the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to makes sure such warning systems work and do not fail due to depleted batteries. 

All of these calls to wisdom made me also think of our need to also be “spiritually wise.” To take the necessary steps to help grow in and to protect our faith from elements in the world that can cause it harm. We do this by recharging our batteries with the special graces we receive from God in the reception of the sacraments, especially the Holy Eucharist. We also stay spiritually wise through prayer, reading the Bible and finding the answers we might have about our faith in the Catechism of the Catholic Faith. Let’s make being spiritually wise a constant goal in our lives.

By Deacon Tom Gryzbek