The 15th Sunday After Pentecost, Sept. 21, 2003 (Proper 20B)
Wisdom 1:16-2:1(6-11)12-22; Psalm 54; James 3:16-4:6; Mark 9:30-37
Our first reading is taken from the Wisdom of Solomon. What lesson of wisdom is this scripture teaching us? Certainly it advises us not to oppress the poor because we have the upper hand in that we are better positioned financially or socially. However, the wisdom we are being taught is deeper than the important care for the poor. There is an attitude that is contrasted with wisdom. This reading is a long dissertation on the arrogance of those who have no wisdom. The author paints a picture of those who make a covenant with death as arrogant, conceited, haughty, egotistical, and full of self-importance. They do not know their true place in the scheme of things. They lack reverence. One of the nuances of the virtue of reverence is knowing where we belong and thereby treating others accordingly. If we put ourselves haughtily above others we are in the wrong place and we lack reverence; and we lack wisdom for not knowing better. The wisdom from this tradition of Solomon is that we avoid arrogance and that we have reverence.
James has a similar message when he describes the wisdom from above as “pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy” (James 3:17). These humble characteristics are the exact opposite of those held by the smug people in our first reading. James, being in touch with biblical wisdom, rightly quotes Proverbs “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6; Proverbs 3:34).
The gospel story has another clear example of lack of wisdom. The disciples argue about which of them is the greatest. But there is some hope for the twelve. When Jesus confronts them they become silent because they then realize their lack of reverence by wanting to be greater than each other. Their silence was the dawn of wisdom.
Arrogance is by nature an oppressor. The psalmist prays for deliverance because “the arrogant have risen up against me” (Psalm 54:3). Whenever we lack wisdom and humility and reverence, and thereby place ourselves above others before God, we will have become the object of this prayer because we will have risen up against others.
Look It Up
In a concordance look up the word “humble” to learn more of this biblical wisdom (55 matches in the NRSV). Note that there is often a paradox of being humble and exalted at the same time.
Think About It
What is the deeper issue when we lack the wisdom of reverence and put ourselves in the wrong place? Is our bravado perhaps a lack of true, wholesome self-confidence? Is it a lack of insight into the abundance with which God graces each of us?
Next Sunday
The 16th Sunday After Pentecost, Sept. 28, 2003 (Proper 21B)
Num. 11:4-6, 10-16, 24-29; Psalm 19 or Psalm 19:7-14; James 4:7-12(13-5:6); Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48
