Humility, Gratitude and Wonder

Homily for Saturday of the Twenty-sixth Week in Ordinary Tiime

Today’s reading from the Book of Job speaks of his answering God. Because of yesterday’s solemnity, we missed God’s address to Job in a storm. However, Job’s answer gives us an idea of what God said to him. “I have dealt with great things that I do not understand; things too wonderful for me, which I cannot know.” Through these words, Job displays humility because of the wonder that he realizes as God speaks to him of the works of God in creation. The story then comes to a close with Job’s circumstances returning to his former way of life, a rich man who is blessed with abundance.

When the disciples returned to Jesus after they traveled two by two to all of the cities that Jesus would visit on his way to Jerusalem, they begin by boasting about what they have been able to do. Jesus responds with words of judgment and justice yet to come, words of correction aimed at those who have hardened their hearts despite witnesses from wondrous events.  They do not merely have questions, which would demonstrate wonder at work.  Instead, they reject the possibility that God is working at all, embracing the pride of false certainty that is often accompanied by an inflated image of self. Jesus is warning them that the scales of justice may weigh their conduct differently than they are assessing themselves.  We are not good at judging our own case.  Take heed whenever you do this, as error is likely.

Attitudes that are rightly ordered provide guidance on our journey, helping us to rise above challenges by disposing us to receive information we need from the world around us and guidance from the unseen work of the Spirit.  We sometimes fail to embrace humility, wonder, and gratitude, which are so important to keep our hearts and minds open to the light.  But God’s invitation remains open to us.  Today, let us pause to listen, reflect, and go forth in wonder.