Humility as the Way of Life - January 27
Today’s Readings: AM Psalm 50; PM Psalm [59, 60] or 8, 84; Gen. 16:15-17:14; Heb. 10:1-10; John 5:30-47
I came across an ancient Indian legend this past week in my reading.
Four royal sons were questioning what specialty they should master. They said to one another, "Let us search the earth and learn a special science." So they decided, and after they had agreed on a place where they would meet again, the four brothers started off, each in a different direction. Time went by, and the brothers met again at the appropriate meeting place, and they asked one another what they had learned. "I have mastered a science," said the first, "which makes it possible for me, if I have nothing but a piece of bone of some creature, to create straightway the flesh that goes with it." "I," said the second, "know how to grow that creature's skin and hair if there is flesh on its bones." The third said, "I am able to create its limbs if I have the flesh, the skin, and the hair." "And I," concluded the fourth, "know how to give life to that creature if its form is complete with limbs."
Thereupon the four brothers went into the jungle to find a piece of bone so that they could demonstrate their specialties. As fate would have it, the bone they found was a lion's, but they did not know that and picked up the bone.
The story unfolds, and each performed his science, and the lion sprung to life, shook its mane and devoured them all, and vanished contentedly into the jungle.[1]
Henri Nouwen shares this story as the “predicament of humanity in our modern age.” Nouwen claims that contemporary people realize their own potential for self-destruction. He is slightly more generous than I am inclined to be as awareness is a very hopeful attribute in our story.
The New Testament Epistle that shows up more than any other in our Sunday lectionary is the Kenosis hymn from Philippians, an ancient hymn that Paul uses as an example of Christ emptying himself, a model he implores us to follow. Paul is offering a vision of humility as the way of life.
The author of John’s Gospel offers us a similar vision in today’s reading when he quotes Jesus saying, “I can do nothing on my own” as a reference that even Jesus is calling upon his source of love and power, his relationship with the Father. Jesus really is the ultimate image of humility. He abandons his power on the cross by being obedient and taking on the form of humanity. This is what God elevates and holds up as our model for life.
Humility. In all the advances we are to discover in life, technological that can save life, machines that can show us new meaning and connection, modes of travel that bring us closer to each other, our Christian identity reminds us that the true meaning of life is found in humility.
It might be wise to remember, that (we) can do nothing on (our) own.
John+
Questions for Self-Reflection: What are times when your Ego has gotten you in trouble? How have others helped you accomplish something that you have largely received credit for?
Daily Challenge: If intrigued to learn more, here is an article about “Infusing your Company Culture with Humility”
[1] *Nouwen sourced this tale from Tales of Ancient India, translated from the Sanskrit by J.A.B. van Buitenen (New York: Bantam Books, 1961), pp. 50-51.