Relationships with Micro Cracks

All wisdom is from the Lord and remains with him forever. – Sirach 1:1

A plate, no matter how durable, will break if it’s repeatedly dropped. Recurring stress
on the plate will develop into micro cracks and eventually lead to a big crack that will
break it.

This knowledge can be applied to relationships too, especially between husbands and
wives. There was a time when I would be irritated whenever my wife inadvertently
disturbed me by calling me while I was working on my laptop or just browsing. I
wouldn’t keep my irritation in check and would always be annoyed. The annoyance
led to a grudge and, one time, it blew up into an adult tantrum.

During my quiet times with God, He made me realize the folly of these pet peeves that
I nurtured. By admitting the pettiness of it in prayer, my responses to such situations
changed favorably.

Pet peeves are like micro cracks in a marriage. If it’s left unchecked, it can develop
into a bigger crack. It’s the stuff that can magnify into a separation. Practical wisdom
can be transformed into divine wisdom when brought to the Lord in prayer. Rolly
Españ a (rollyespana53@gmail.com)

Reflect: Relationships take years to develop but only seconds to break. A relationship is a gift
we should nurture in life.

Lord, help me to give priority to my relationships before I look at my own welfare and my
feelings.

Blessed Sebastian of Aparicio, pray for us.

1st READING

Sirach tells us that all wisdom comes from the Lord. This truth consoles us who believe in God.
It is impossible to argue with an unbeliever because we do not begin at the same point and,
thus, arrive at different conclusions. A public debate in a secular society is difficult because the
grounds on which we discuss are limited or even non-existent.

Sirach 1:1-8
1
All wisdom comes from the Lord and with him it remains forever, and is before all
time. 2 The sand of the seashore, the drops of rain, the days of eternity: who can number
these? 3Heaven’s height, earth’s breadth, the depths of the abyss: who can explore
these? 4 Before all things else wisdom was created; and prudent understanding, from
eternity. 5 The word of God on high is the fountain of wisdom and her ways are everlasting.
To whom has wisdom’s root been revealed? Who knows her subtleties? 6 To whom has
the discipline of wisdom been revealed? And who has understood the multiplicity of her
ways? There is but one, wise and truly awe-inspiring, seated upon his throne: 7 There is
one, Most High all powerful creator-king and truly awe-inspiring one, seated upon his
throne and he is the God of dominion. It is the Lord; he created her through the Holy
Spirit, has seen her and taken note of her. 8 He has poured her forth upon all his works,
upon every living thing according to his bounty; he has lavished her upon his friends.