NOTES: 1]Read
the Hebrew Bible in the light
of our understanding of God in Jesus.2] The book of Proverbs, part
of what we
know as 'Wisdom' literature, is a
collection of `several centuries of thought on the part of the sages'
(NJB, p.965) in poetry form. Though some may come from Solomon,
many are from others,
not all of them Hebrews. Some reflect memories from earlier days
in Mesopotamia &
Egypt. 3] Jesus is clearly familiar
with this passage - see today's Gospel
(above). WARMING UP: Do we have a
favourite seat anywhere?
TREASURES OLD & NEW:
Identify God at work in anything this week?
ENTERING INTO THE STORY:
6-7 Does the context suggest this
proverb might indeed stem from a king, maybe Solomon? Whether or not
that's so, how does its wisdom stand up to the 'push yourself forward'
mentality prevalent in our society? Do we see humility as an attitudeof
those who lead us in church or state? If we believe 'claiming social
standing we're not entitled to is not a good thing, what are we
ourselves doing to demonstrate that's not the way to go? Would others
inflict a penalty on us if we actually lived out the humble life
both the proverb & Jesus advocate? Could we bear that? Why is it
that some people still desire status through
being 'noticed'? Is doing so an indication in itself that not only did
'Solomon' not get his message across, but Jesus didn't either? Where
does that leave us?
Do we have any desire to
'stand in the place of the great' in terms of looking back at where
others have 'stood'? Does 'standing in the place of the great' have
anything at all to do with the common desire of, say, tourists
to see where So & So lived or did something that went down in
history? If it does, is there some streak in our humanity that wants to
connect with people of note? Do we inherit this, or simply learn it for
ourselves? Because we see others doing it? To reach the basic issue do
we have to ask ourself questions like: a) Who
is really of note? b) What is really of note? c) What is it that
determines, or should determine this
'of note' business? & d) Of note in whose eyes?
In that former
favourite TV comedy series, 'Keeping Up Appearances', why did we all
writhe at Hyacinth Bucket's constant efforts to 'climb the social
ladder'? Was she really taking the mickey out of all our attempts to
make ourselves out to be better than we really are? Do we recognize
ourself in Hyacinth, & laugh at ourself in her? Or is it really
someone else, never ourself we're laughing at? Can we think of other
stage or TV characters who have also made fun of us doing this 'taking
the higher place'? Do we get the message in any of them? What is the message?
Does what Paul says of Jesus
in Philippians 2:5-11 go to the heart of why Christians should live in
all humility no matter what others think of us or do to us as a result?
Is living like Jesus the be-all-and-end-all of the matter?
