Humility with wisdom

The liturgical year is deep within Ordinary Time as the 22nd and 23rd Sundays approach. Wisdom literature found in the Old Testament and heard during the Liturgy of the Word  “bookends” invite us to embrace humility and wisdom. The former is a foundational virtue while the other is the fruit of such. 

Teaching a child humility (Sir 3:17-29)

The author of Sirach gives direction about humility. Although the author directs a child, a parent’s role is to guide their child. It takes humility to teach humility. The more humble one is, the more others will learn what it means to be humble. Recall a time when humility was the lesson of the moment. Did love and mercy inform the moment? Did the receiver understand the goodness of humility over the destruction of pride? Did the teacher sense conversion?

The seating arrangement (Lk 14:1-14)

Jesus’ lesson for us in the Gospel of Luke is simply eye opening. He is invited to an official’s home for a Sabbath meal. This is a big deal. Since place cards with inscribed names are something of the future, invitees are to seat themselves at this meal. Places of honor are the prized seats. Jesus finds this moment is an opportunity to share his wisdom. He offers a scenario of seating oneself in a place of honor, only to be asked by the host to give up the self-appointed seat for a seemingly more important guest. Meekly, one would then stand, move elsewhere and realize the assumption of thinking the host held one in higher regard was an error.  This is humiliating to say the least. Jesus challenges us to temper our personal greatness with self-awareness. What seat of honor am I fooling myself with?  Is love of me greater that love of thee? Do I recognize my imperfections with hope in humility, realizing that perhaps I am not to be exalted but rather a sojourner to Jesus, who shines the light of perfect humility, that is the cross he bore and hung upon for our salvation? 

A prayer for wisdom (Wis 9:13-18)

The Book of Wisdom is attributed to King Solomon. He asked God for wisdom as he begins his inherited rule over the kingdom after his father, King David. Solomon realizes that his reign must be tempered with the wisdom that only God provides. He affirms “God’s counsel” must guide human reason since the latter remains burdened with worldliness. God is unburdened.  The omnipotent wisdom of God endures. Far be it from Solomon to believe his earthly wisdom surpasses God. With great humility, he seeks wisdom in the power of God to lead the chosen people. Where do I gain wisdom and good counsel? Do I ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom? “With the humble is wisdom.” (Prv 11:2) 

Humility and wisdom invite conversion (Phlm 1: 9-17)

St. Paul, imprisoned in Rome, writes a letter to Philemon, noting that while in prison he befriended Philemon’s slave, who has now become a Christian. St. Paul asks, as the new Christian returns to Philemon, that he take him back as an equal and brother. St. Paul’s humble confinement does not stop him from bringing others the wisdom of God. He understands the humility of captivity and sees the slave as one made in the image of God, deserving all the wisdom St. Paul can provide. When has my humility increased my compassion for others? Have I reached out in good measure to share the faith?

Detachment (Lk 14:25-35)

Finally, Jesus offers these words, “Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.” Our cross is specifically ours to carry. Denying this would diminish the importance of the cross Jesus carried for our salvation. With the cross comes humility, perseverance, mercy, love, surrender, commitment and hope. 

Jesus asks his followers to detach from possessions and follow him all the way to the cross. This will take courage, humility, total self-sacrifice, absolute endurance and inexhaustible trust in God for the good of the other and the glory of God. By the grace of God is one able to accept this mission. What do I need to shed in order to carry my cross? Pride, fear, anger, envy, greed? Am I avoiding a cross by procrastination, denial, rejection or ignorance? 

What happens when I take up my cross? We become like Jesus as St. Paul writes, “Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross. Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil 2:5-11).  

Litany of humility

You are invited to meditate more deeply on the virtue of humility by privately praying with the Litany of Humility.  This prayer asks for the Lord’s help in humbling following in his path of love and mercy. For details go to  ascensionpress.com/pages/litany-of-humility 

Dow is the director of the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis for the Diocese of Baton Rouge.