Kernels of Wisdom for Freshers Week

Address for Freshers Evensong, Christ Church, Oxford
9/10/2022

2 Chronicles 9: 1–12 (NRSV)

When the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to Jerusalem to test him with hard questions… When she came to Solomon, she discussed with him all that was on her mind. Solomon answered all her questions.

2 Chronicles 9.1

The Queen of Sheba is a woman of myths and legend, depicted in operas and on canvas.  She’s known as Makeda in Ethiopian tradition, and as Bilquis in Islamic tradition. It is thought her country is what we would know as modern-day Yemen, and she went on a journey of between 3-7 years to Jerusalem to seek the wisdom of Solomon.

It seems fitting to have the story of the Queen of Sheba at Freshers’ Evensong. This story of a woman who leaves her homeland and her people to travel across the world in search of knowledge and wisdom.

In the past few days, I’ve met people from all corners of the globe and nation. It’s been a joy to see the diversity of cultures, languages and backgrounds that have gathered in this place over the past week.

Those of you who are new here will have journeyed here, perhaps for similar reasons to the Queen of Sheba: to test your tutors with hard questions, to find out more about your subject, the world, and yourselves.

There is a proverb in the bible that speaks of wisdom as something to be pursued above all things. ‘wisdom’ is personified as a woman, ’lady wisdom’,

Get wisdom, get understanding.. and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding

Proverbs 4. 5-9

There is a difference between knowledge and wisdom though isn’t there? Someone said ‘knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit; wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad’!

Knowledge can be gained through reading, research, and gathering information; but wisdom uses discernment, judgment and understanding to take this information and use it for good.

I often marvel at how the cleverest of people can make the most foolish decisions at times!

CS Lewis said in a letter, ‘The first kernel of wisdom to start with is to let our dependence and trust in God permeate all our worries of today’ ¹

So, here are three simple things to keep in mind as you begin your time here, or as you begin your academic year.

Firstly, seek wisdom, not just knowledge. All your questions are unlikely to be answered in just three or four years; but be willing to be transformed, and changed by your experience here. Keep an open mind and an open heart.

Secondly, the Queen of Sheba didn’t set off on her own, she had a retinue, a caravan of people alongside her to support her. We need one another. There will be times when the journey is rocky and the wheels on our proverbial chariots fall off. We need to look out for one another, support one another, and care for one another. That’s the joy of being part of a community like Christ Church.

Thirdly, and most importantly, the Queen of Sheba saw that all the wisdom and gifts Solomon had were because they’d been given to him by God.

God is with you, whether you are just starting out, or mid-way through, whether you are full of faith, barely holding on to faith, or have no faith at all. Let this knowledge permeate our current worries, as CS Lewis said.

And remember that this Chapel, Cathedral, this house of prayer is a place that people have traveled to and prayed in for over 1000 years; and it is a place for you to come into whenever you like, to sit, to pray, to think, to question, to be inspired.

So bless you as you begin your time here and I hope that you, like the Queen of Sheba, find what you’re seeking, and that you have a lot of fun along the way, knowing that God is with you throughout it all.

1. https://www.dbu.edu/news/2020/03/wisdom-for-disruptive-times-from-the-letters-of-cs-lewis.html