The City Gates

To plant the humble in their place...

By Peter Mirus (bio - articles - send a comment) | February 09, 2012 8:29 AM

The reading from Sirach in today’s Morning Prayer produced in me two different reactions. The first was to think of this whole “freedom of conscience” struggle with the current administration, and what the Lord’s response will be those who take away that freedom. The second was a good reminder to wage the struggle in such a way that the Lord will still consider us among the humble... a challenging balancing act.

Sirach 10:7, 12-13a, 15-16

Odious to the Lord and to men is arrogance,
And the sin of oppression they both hate.
The beginning of pride is man’s stubbornness
In withdrawing his heart from his Maker;
For pride is the reservoir of sin,
A source which runs over with vice.
The roots of the proud God plucks up,
To plant the humble in their place:
He breaks down their stem to the level of the ground,
Then digs their roots from the earth.

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  • Posted by: John J Plick - Feb. 09, 2012 1:38 PM ET USA

    So "the humble" depend on "the Lord...?;" But hasn't "the Lord" walked among us, and that as Emmanuel? The "humble" shall be guarded, indeed, and that by the ones who aspire to an even greater humility still. But beware...; those who are called to emulate the "Lamb of God" are also called to follow the "Lion of Judah..."

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