I wish to point out a couple of things that struck me, from a part of the Lectionary we do not talk about too often.

The readings from Vespers this evening struck me, in particular the third, Prov 9: 1-11. This reading talks about how Wisdom built a house for Herself, and the feast She holds for those who seek her. The reading ends with directives to basically ignore the foolish and the wicked, but to rebuke the wise man, since he will delight in such things, as "the knowledge of the holy is prudence."

Now, this reading is fresh in my mind as this is the second time in a week that it has been read (Vespers of the Nativity). Now we can see how Wisdom relates to the Theotokos, especially since this reading is read at most of her Feasts. I would like to draw attention to two things: Wisdom (Sophia) is another name for Christ. The Theotokos sought Wisdom, and received that Person. How does this relate to the Feast of the Exaltion of the Cross? If one focuses on the fact that Christ is Sophia, then this reading has several strong features that ought to speak to us believers. First: v. 4-"whosoever is a little one, let him come unto me." What NT passage does this hearken unto? V. 5 is more poignent yet: "unto the wise she said: Come, eat my bread, and drink the wine I have mingled for you." How does this relate to our lives? Where do we hear words similar to these? If we are "little ones" who partake of this bread and wine, the we "live, and walk by the ways of prudence (v. 6)" Thus this is the knowledge of the Holy (v 10).