Articles
Ignorance, Intelligence, and Wisdom
Opinion | Articles | Chhotebhai | 14-Feb-2026
We are about to enter the holy season of Lent. By now “good Christians” will have decided what to give up for the next forty days. Most of these “sacrifices” are linked to food and drink. Several will abstain from non-vegetarian food.
This year Lent will be concurrent with the Islamic month of Ramzan when devout Muslims fast from dawn to dusk, even without water. Towards the end Hindus will also be observing Navratra, nine days when they too will abstain from various things, including salt and cereals. In contrast, the Catholic fast and abstinence that permits fish, eggs, soup, etc. comes across more as a farce than a fast!
When Jesus began his forty days of preparation in the desert, he too faced the basic temptation of food – change this stone into bread (cf Lk 4:4). However, Jesus’ temptation was actually a preparation or fortification for the arduous public ministry that lay ahead. So too Lent is not so much about giving up something, as that of seeking and finding something. Something precious, like the treasure in the field (cf Mat 13:44).
During this time of seeking, let us earnestly pray for the gift of wisdom, which is quite different from knowledge or intelligence. How do we distinguish between them? We begin with knowledge. We gain this when we go to school or college. For those past that stage, their laziest access to knowledge is through the WhatsApp University!
Knowledge is basically information. Two plus two equals four. Intelligence goes one step further, applying that knowledge in a skilful way. Engineers, scientists and doctors could do marvels with the knowledge that they have acquired. A responsible person would apply that in a useful manner for the greater good. Take climate change. An intelligent scientist would ensure that scientific advancement is not counter productive to the environment or ecology.
Wisdom, however, is at an entirely different level. It is a spiritual faculty, a gift from God. This means using our knowledge or intelligence in accordance with God’s will. Primarily that would be for the good of all, individually and collectively.
Those in power or positions of authority need to ceaselessly plead for Wisdom, to discern what God is asking of them. This is why Jesus kept searching for answers, not just during those forty days; by being constantly attuned to what the Father expected of him. He repeatedly sought solitude, away from the madding/ milling crowds (cf Mk 1:35). It was in the silence of his heart that he could hear his Father speak with him.
So our most important decision/ resolution this Lent should be to seek more time with the Lord, and he will speak. It is not enough to passively say “Be it done to me according to your word” (Lk 1:38). Like the boy Samuel we should pro-actively say “Speak Lord your servant is listening” (1 Sam 3:9).
Pope Francis often emphasised the need for listening. This is not just hearing, but being aware of what is happening in and around us. From awareness comes reflection and then action. Dr Ambedkar had advised the downtrodden to acquire knowledge as a form of empowerment. Much of the problems that we face is because of ignorance. We think that it is bliss! Nothing could be further from the truth.
At a primary level we may choose not to go to a doctor, for fear of coming to know what is wrong with oneself. This is like the ostrich burying its head in the sand in the belief that the danger would pass. The intelligent thing to do would be to go for a medical check up and the wise thing to do would be to follow the doctor’s advice.
Besides physical conditions we also need an X-ray or ultra sound of our emotional, psychological and spiritual well being. Self-awareness is critical. Sadly, there are few healers of the mind and spirit. During my years in youth ministry and marriage counselling I discovered that almost all of us are living in a world of make believe. We are either afraid or incapable of embarking on the voyage of self-discovery. What is really driving us? What is eating us up like a cancer within? To what extent are our lives determined by “What will people say?”
Psychology is a study of the mind and emotions. It can analyse our behaviour. It may propose some solutions, but it doesn’t give us the strength to address them. It cannot motivate us. Going to a therapist may just release some pressure and give temporary relief.
For over 30 years my wife has been serving specially-abled children and young adults. She counsels the parents too. We discuss some cases, especially of violent behaviour that defy solution. Sending them to a psychiatrist involves giving medication that suppresses the symptoms but that is not a solution. With the complexity of modern life there is a crying need for good counsellors who can bring solace and healing.
The Charismatic Renewal has a process of inner healing that uses tools of psycho analysis in sync with the Word of God. For example, “Come to me all you who labour and are heavily burdened and I will give you rest” (Mat 11:28). “I have carved your name on the palm of my hand” (Is cf 49:16). “Can a mother forget the fruit of her womb? But I will not forget you” (Is 49:15). “Behold I am with you to the end of time” (Mat 28:20).
Proper application of the Word of God in our lives can bring healing and new life. “The Word of God is something alive and active; it cuts more incisively than any two edged sword; it can seek out the place where soul is divided from spirit, or joints from marrow; it can pass judgement on secret emotions and thoughts. No created thing is hidden from him, everything is uncovered and stretched fully open to the eyes of the one to whom we must give account of ourselves” (Heb 4:12-13).
I find this passage pregnant with meaning. Replace the two edged sword with a surgeon’s scalpel. It can remove cancerous and tumorous growths, not just in our body, but also in our mind and soul. This Lent choose to embrace the Word of God in your life. You will be a new creation (cf 2 Cor 5:17).
Many diseases are described as psychosomatic, that is the interaction of the mind or emotions (psyche) on the body (soma) or vice versa. Human sciences exclude the third dimension – that we are pneuma-psycho-somatic beings. We have spiritual (pneuma) faculties that also need to be addressed.
I can give hundreds of examples of how healing the pneuma (spirit) also heals the psyche and the soma. The most vivid example is of women who could not conceive a child. Yes we know about Sarah (cf Gen 17:19) and Elizabeth (cf Lk 1:12). But I know of several cases where divine intervention has resulted in the conception of a child. Confidentiality prevents me from giving more details so I will give just one anonymous example. We were praying in the Cathedral in Agra when a young woman fell down (some call it being slain in the Spirit). I myself had no idea of what was happening at the time. A year later when I re-visited I was told that that woman was childless and now had a child. Call it a miracle or the Wisdom of God.
We are told that “Wisdom is a spirit friendly to humanity” (Wis 1:6). “Wisdom is brilliant, she never fades. By those who love her, she is readily seen; by those who seek her, she is readily found … She herself searches everywhere for those who are worthy of her” (Wis 6:12,16).
Isaiah had predicted that “On him will rest the Spirit of Yahweh, the spirit of wisdom and insight, the spirit of counsel and power, the spirit of knowledge” (Is 11:2).”This wisdom begins with the sincere desire for instruction” (Wis 6:16).
This Lent may our hearts burn with desire for true knowledge, intelligence and the wisdom that is found in the Word of God. “Seek and you will find” (Mat 7:7), else be “Like a horse and mule, unintelligent” (cf Ps 32:9). The choice is ours.
(The writer is the Convenor of the Indian Catholic Forum.)
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