Isidore of Seville was the Bishop of Seville for more than three decades in the early 7th century. By some accounts, he is considered the last of the Early Church Fathers. He is a Doctor of the Church and one of the great theologians and scholars of the Early Church, with his crowning achievement being the Etymologiae, a 20 volume work that is an encyclopedia of universal knowledge of the Christian faith, the first such work of its kind. This is great quote of his, definitely reflecting his personality and the mind of a scholar: “If a man wants to be always in God's company, he must pray regularly and read regularly. When we pray, we talk to God; when we read, God talks to us.” It is interesting to note that his brother, Leander of Seville, served as Bishop of Seville prior to Isidore. We celebrate Leander’s feast day on March 13, just a few weeks ago. Leander is also a canonized saint.
In our first reading from the book of Wisdom today, we are presented a view point from the godless, how they are often threaten by those who have God in their lives, how the godless are resentful of the virtuous lives led by people of faith. Of course, this can be seen as a prophecy of how Jesus was treated as well, how his goodness and righteousness was resented, how he will be treated at the hands of his opponents.
Rather resent those who lead virtuous lives, we as Christians are to look up to the saints as role models for us, to use them as examples on our own journey of faith. I think of Isidore of Seville, of the great teachings of the faith that he left us. May wisdom lead us and guide us to a virtuous life, with other Christians to help us on our journey.
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