Humility

The 15th Sunday after Pentecost — September 1, 2013  

Psalm 131

In the readings for this week, Psalm 131 is paired with Proverbs 25:2-10, Hebrews 13:1-17, and Luke 14:1-14.  A quick perusal of these readings leads one to the conclusion the emphasis for the week is humility and what that may or may not look like.  Proverbs 2:7 and Luke 14:7-14 are virtually identical in directing people towards a godly humility, while the Hebrews text highlights a number of aspects of Christ-like humility.  Humble submission to proper vocations in the world are highlighted for the sake of good order, peace, and God-pleasing activity.

This short Psalm, only three verses, highlights in verse 1 a three-fold humility (heart not lifted up, eyes not raised, not occupied with things beyond ones station in life).

Verse 2 shows in picture language a calmed and quieted self-understanding.  Luther points to this weaned child as someone who is at a loss outside of the presence of his/her mother.  This child, who has been used to feeding solely and securely on mother”s milk, is now in the world seeking sustenance, but does not want to casino spiele wander far from motherly attention.  For Luther, this is a picture of a child beginning to explore a larger world but always most at home in the presence of Mom and that comfort and security.  A Christian, as we grow in knowledge and wisdom, should remain a little uneasy remembering that it is by grace through faith that the promise of Jesus remains ours.  Which is the return point of verse 3.

“O Israel, hope in the Lord from this time forth and forevermore.”

Reading verse 2 in particular reminded me of an episode with our own firstborn child.  Dayna was always rather attached to her mother and for a long time (or so it seemed) I wondered if there was something wrong with me as a father.  She simply refused to let anyone other than her mother hold her.  We called her our little “Klingon,” if you know what I mean.  One time when she was older and she had become comfortable with the entire family and not just her mother, we were on a short hike at Palouse Falls State Park.  She was leading the hike (firstborns like to do that) and came to a fork in the trail;  she went left, the rest of us happened to go to the right, down a parallel trail.  It was less than 2 minutes when she looked back and started screaming, because she thought she was lost when we hadn”t followed her, even though we could see her through the trees just a few feet away the whole time.  A short detour, we were reunited, she was calmed and comforted with our presence, and we continued the hike.  Such is the child of God who loses sight of his/her Lord.

Tomorrow we will look at the historical context (read it here).

Prayer:

Heavenly Father we give you thanks that you are our father — always present, never very far away —  and that you sent our big brother, Jesus, to be with us and make it possible for us to always be with you.  Our hope is in you alone, O Lord.  Now and forever, in Jesus, Amen.