Who can know God’s Counsel, or who can conceive what the Lord intends?
[Wisdom 9:13]

When I heard this read at a recent liturgy, my initial reaction was not very positive. This was no help in answering life’s big questions. Armed with words like these, how am I supposed to confront an infinite and eternal universe? How am I supposed to relate to a God who is so great, while I am so minuscule? Does God take even the slightest notice of me?

Then I recalled a parallel passage from I Corinthians 2: 16. “Who knows the mind of the Lord? Who is able to give him advice?” That too left little hope to cling to. It had me asking whether we are alone and must fend for ourselves in this vast universe. Is this all there is?

These are just some of the questions that Jesus sought to answer. For starters, contrary to currents in pagan thinking of the day, Jesus tells us we are not left to the fates. The zodiac does not determine our lives, and the horoscope provides no answers or consolation. On top of that, we are more than mere specks of dust floating in the cosmos. We are in fact noble beings created in the image of God, and what we do for the least among us we do for Jesus.

Lest we think that Wisdom 9:13 offers the last word on the subject, then, it’s important to read on. Later, in verses 17-18, is the nugget of insight that gives hope and purpose to life. It’s the rebuttal of the notion that we are nothing in this vast universe. “Or whoever knew your counsel, except you had given wisdom and sent your Holy Spirit from on high? And thus were the paths of those on earth made straight.” (Wis 9: 17-18)

Therein is the hope that sustains us in good times and bad. So the next time we’re tempted to give up on life and surrender ourselves to the fates, that’s an excellent moment to give God a call. God gave to us wisdom and the Holy Spirit, precisely for these occasions. Equipped with them, we are worthy conversation-partners for God.

When life seems overwhelming and empty, then, take those questions to God, and ask “Why, oh Lord?” God’s more than happy to chat. In fact, God’s been waiting to hear from us, and God’s more than delighted to supply some answers. There’s one last caution, however. They may not be the answers we had expected, but usually they are more than we ever imagined. 

Weekly blog post: Sept. 8, 2025