We Still Need Wise Men

By our back door… are the wise men.

The Christmas tree was taken down weeks ago. Mary, Joseph, shepherds and random animals have been put in a box. The decorations are in the loft…

We still need wise men. And wise women.

In this week’s news… Our MP, Jess Asato, had an AI manipulated image of her in a bikini posted on social media without her consent. She talked about feeling violated, and broader issues of sexually manipulating images of women and children.

We need wise men and women advising, controlling, and making decisions regarding AI…  as well as social media, children’s access and the moral and ethical implications of developing technology.

Ms Asato talked about necessary legislation… This week’s crazy circus of party politics re-emphasises our need for wise men and women in parliament.

Yesterday’s Lowestoft Journal… Rose and Fred Willis, aged 87 and 90, celebrated sixty-eight years of marriage… They first met in 1956… ran a Lowestoft grocery shop… holidayed in Madeira… originally came from Pakefield… have three children and four grandchildren…

We need wise men and women promoting, setting positive examples of marriage and family life.

Mrs Willis has recently moved into a care home; Mr Willis visits her every day. We need wise men and woman ensuring that our elderly and vulnerable are well cared for.

This morning’s reading… the end of the Joseph story. Jacob has died; Joseph’s eleven brothers are worried that Joseph will get revenge on them for the way they treated him in the past.

Joseph sees the bigger picture, saying: ‘You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.’

We need wise men and women, like Joseph, to see and point us to God’s often unseen presence and active involvement in our lives.

Musing… James describes wisdom: ‘But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.’