Grace Against Pride

These readings set two ways before us. One is the way of the heart that lifts itself up, saying in secret, “I am secure; I am sufficient.” Tyre boasted in wisdom and beauty, yet the Lord brought it down. As Hippolytus repeats the judgment: “behold, therefore I will bring strangers upon you, plagues from the nations: and they shall draw their swords against you, and against the beauty of your wisdom; and they shall level your beauty to destruction; and they shall bring you down.” Human cleverness, wealth, and reputation cannot save a man when his heart has become proud.

The other way is seen in the churches of Macedonia, and even, in another manner, in David fleeing from Saul. David was not enthroned yet; he lived as a fugitive. As Irenaeus says, he “suffered persecution from Saul for righteousness’ sake, and fled from King Saul,”. Yet affliction did not excuse lawlessness of heart. Paul likewise does not praise the Macedonians for their poverty alone, but because in trial they became liberal, earnest, and ready. Want did not close their hand.

So the Church must learn this hard wisdom: when pressed, do not become proud like Tyre, and do not become grasping like the fearful. Rather, humble yourself, hold your goods as the Lord’s, and complete what is good. If grace has begun mercy in you, finish it with deeds: alms actually given, promises actually kept, brethren actually relieved. For it is a shame to speak of faith richly and give sparingly, or to confess God with the mouth while the heart trusts in gold, shrewdness, or self-protection.