Sirach, the author of Sunday’s first reading, is a teacher of wisdom, a giver of practical advice about the right way to act. He praises humility, a not-so-popular virtue in our society that values self-esteem and assertiveness.
In the middle of finishing my doctoral dissertation, a feat I was feeling justifably proud about, I attended a sisters’ chapter meeting as my province representative. At prayer, one of our sisters from Hawaii shared a version of 1 Corinthians 13, in which Paul writes about the importance of love. It began like this: “If I have a doctorate in theology and work hard in church-related programs, but have no aloha for those I live with, what I say and do in the name of the church and Jesus is waha’au, empty talk.”
The words got my attention; so did the rest of the prayer:
“Aloha is most of the time patient and kind with those with whom she lives. Aloha is not jealous that someone else is singled out for recognition Aloha will go on forever.”
The use of the word aloha made me hear Paul’s message very personally and very practically. It places humility in the down-to-earth context of our personal hospitality both toward all and toward those closest.
The same systemic evils we see in our society and world exist also within us. We grow up in our society and absorb its biases. The scriptures call us to see from God’s point of view both as Christians in our daily lives and as citizens in our work for the common, public good.
Sirach teaches humility.
My child, perform your tasks with humility; then you will be loved by those whom God accepts. The greater you are, the more you must humble yourself; so you will find favor in the sight of the Holy One.
For great is the might of the Holy One; but by the humble God is glorified. When calamity befalls the proud, there is no healing, for an evil plant has taken root in the person. The mind of the intelligent appreciates proverbs, and an attentive ear is the desire of the wise.
Sirach 3.17-18,20,28-29
- What is wise about being humble?