The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to contemplate how humility frees us to be open to the Presence of God in our relationships with others.
Wisdom of humility
The reading from the Letter of James describes two kinds of Wisdom.
* [3:13–18] This discussion of true wisdom is related to the previous reflection on the role of the teacher as one who is in control of his speech. The qualities of the wise man endowed from above are detailed (Jas 3:17–18; cf. Gal 5:22–23), in contrast to the qualities of earthbound wisdom (Jas 3:14–16; cf. 2 Cor 12:20).1
Psalm 19 praises God’s Glory in Creation and the Law.
* [Psalm 19] The heavenly elements of the world, now beautifully arranged, bespeak the power and wisdom of their creator (Ps 19:2–7). The creator’s wisdom is available to human beings in the law (Ps 19:8–11), toward which the psalmist prays to be open (Ps 19:12–14). The themes of light and speech unify the poem.2
In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus heals a boy with a spirit.
* [9:14–29] The disciples’ failure to effect a cure seems to reflect unfavorably on Jesus (Mk 9:14–18, 22). In response Jesus exposes their lack of trust in God (Mk 9:19) and scores their lack of prayer (Mk 9:29), i.e., of conscious reliance on God’s power when acting in Jesus’ name. For Matthew, see note on Mt 17:14–20. Lk 9:37–43 centers attention on Jesus’ sovereign power. * [9:29] This kind can only come out through prayer: a variant reading adds “and through fasting.”3
Julie Kalkowski comments that Wisdom has been a common theme in the readings for the last few weeks. Perhaps the Spirit is trying to get us to understand how critical Wisdom is in becoming closer to God and each other?
When our lives are grounded in prayer, it is easier to dismiss the ideas and opinions that foster hate and division, the words that do not come from ‘above.’ Time spent in prayer will help me better discern what comes from ‘above’. I believe it will help me think twice before I utter words that are filled with contempt for another. It will make it almost impossible for me to act like those who were deplaned in Omaha. It will also remind me when things seem so difficult in some many places around our world that “Everything is possible to one who has faith.”4
Don Schwager quotes “Emerging faith seeks maturity,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"In saying, 'When the Son of Man shall come, shall he find faith upon the earth?' our Lord spoke of that faith which is fully matured, which is so seldom found on earth. The church's faith is full, for who would come here if there were no fullness of faith? And whose faith when fully matured would not move mountains (Matthew 17:20; 21:22)? Look at the apostles themselves, who would not have left all they had, trodden under foot this world's hope, and followed the Lord, if they had not had proportionally great faith. And yet if they had already experienced a completely matured faith, they would have not said to the Lord, 'Increase our faith' (Luke 17:5). Rather we find here an emerging faith, which is not yet full faith, in that father who when he had presented to the Lord his son to be cured of an evil spirit and was asked whether he believed, answered, 'Lord, I believe, help me in my unbelief' (Mark 9:24). 'Lord,' says he, 'I believe.' 'I believe': therefore there was faith; but 'help me in my unbelief': therefore there was not full faith (Hebrews 10:22)." (excerpt from SERMONS ON NEW TESTAMENT LESSONS 65)5
The Word Among Us Meditation on Mark 9:14-29 comments that the disciples got caught up in a dispute, but Jesus showed only love. Love made the difference then, and it still does today! Every day we encounter people who need to experience Jesus’ love for them. They need to see that he cares for them. And they need to see it through us.
Today, Jesus is inviting you to join him in entering the lives of the people he wants to reach. Is there anyone he might be pointing out to you? Be available to that person. Be ready with an encouraging word. Be ready to walk alongside them and be a part of their lives. Do this, and you will be showing Christ to another one of his children. “Lord Jesus, lead me to the people whose lives I can touch with your love.”6
Friar Jude Winkler notes the counsel of James on true wisdom being manifested in humility. In Jesus' time, the epilepsy of the boy was seen as demonic possession. The doubts in our human faith can help our faith grow and bring us to greater trust. Friar Jude reminds us that our authority amounts to nothing so we have to act based on God’s grace.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, believes that we can only experience true intimacy when we are willing to be vulnerable ourselves.
The secret becomes unhidden when people stop hiding—from God, from themselves, and from at least one other person. Such risky self-disclosure is what I mean by intimacy and it is the way that love is transmitted. Some say the word comes from the Latin intimus, which is interior or inside. Some say its older meaning is found by in timor, “into fear.” In either case, the point is clear. Intimacy happens when we expose our insides and this is always scary. We never really know if the other can receive what is exposed, will respect it, or will run fast in the other direction. We must be prepared to be rejected. It is always a risk.7
The Spirit nudges us to humility and vulnerability through which we increase our fullness of life.
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