We are all called to be leaders. Today’s reflection reminds us to pray for wisdom and understanding when we step up to lead.

August 9, 2026: Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
1 Kings 19:9a, 11–13a
Psalm 85:9–14
Romans 9:1–5
Matthew 14:22–33

Wisdom, Wisdom

A reflection by Ann Marie Szpakowska

‍

Wisdom, Wisdom by Lorie True

Wisdom, Wisdom, be attentive.

Wisdom, Wisdom, open our hearts.

Wisdom, Wisdom, be attentive.

Wisdom, Wisdom, open our hearts.

In our conflicts and chaos - Open our hearts.

O! In our pride and our passion – Open our hearts

O wisdom, wisdom, open our hearts.

In all of our doubting – open our hearts.

O! In all of our searching – open our hearts.

When we’re tired and closed minded – open our hearts.

When we can’t hear you calling – open our hearts.

In the wake of our morning – open our hearts.

In the quiet of our evening – open our hearts.

One of the benefits of not being bound by the three years of lectionary readings is our ability to scour the scriptures and writings of the saints (and others) to mold our prayers and liturgies. The church gives us a pattern, but we choose the content to fit the occasions. Dignity/Buffalo’s 50^th Anniversary on October 17th, 2026, will be an example of this process. We will hear a reading from the Feast of Ignatius of Antioch, as well as the Gospel according to John 12:24-36. We will replace the psalm with Janet Sullivan Whitaker’s “In Every Age.” You may hear a bit of glee in my voice as I cantor the verses. After all, the bishops have put this and many other songs on their “No-No” list. There is something quite satisfactory in claiming these songs as our own. I trust neither the bishops’ theologies nor their musical expertise, and their leadership and management of our church leaves the laity scratching our collective heads. A bit after our gospel reading this week, we hear Jesus proclaim that all Christians can take part in leading the Church: “Then every scribe who has been instructed in the Kin-dom of heaven is like the head of a household who brings from their storeroom both the new and the old” (Mt 13:52). Sometimes, we need to take matters into our own hands!

In last week’s Old Testament reading, we met Solomon – son of David – in prayer. His request is for an understanding heart as he governs God’s people, Israel, and he asks for the wisdom to distinguish right from wrong. A later story illustrating the wisdom that God granted Solomon is his decision when two women come before him with a child, each claiming the child as her own. Solomon offers to give each of them half of the child, knowing that the true mother would rather see her boy live – even if he was raised by another woman. He thus identifies the true mother and unites her with her own son. When we are called to step up as leaders, there will surely come a time when we have to make a difficult decision. Let us, like Solomon, pray for the wisdom we need to make those decisions well, with true care for all God’s people.

Many years ago, Father John McNeill returned to his hometown in Buffalo to give a lecture, and I was called upon to render some remarks. Never feeling confident in my extemporaneous abilities I quoted 2 Romans 8:28 – “Brothers and Sisters: We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to God’s purpose.” Though the path may not be well lit nor the end in sight, yet we in Dignity also have conformed ourselves to Christ’s image, one of many siblings. Our baptism has called us to live as priestly, prophetic and royal persons. Servant of God Sister Thea Bowman was fond of reminding everyone of who they are and whose they are. May we never forget!

Ann Marie Szpakowska has been active and in leadership of Dignity/Buffalo for nearly 40 years. She also participates in the Women's Caucus and has been an active contributor to Liturgical planning for Dignity's Conventions Conferences and on Feminist Liturgy Committees over many years. She has presented workshops both locally and at Dignity Conventions.                                      

She has also been a member of St. Martin de Porres parish since 4 inner city churches merged and built a new sanctuary in 1993. St. Martin de Porres is a predominantly African American community in Buffalo New York.