Sunday, August 28, 2022
Sirach 3:17-18, 20, 28-29; Ps 68:4-5, 6-7, 10-11; Hebrews 12:18-19, 22-24a; Luke 14:1, 7-14
“Be humble,” says a recently-ordained Maryknoll priest about approaching other cultures as he reflects on the Sunday Mass readings for the 22nd Sunday of Ordinary Time.
I lived in Cochabamba, Bolivia, as part of my formation and preparation for ordination to the Maryknoll missionary priesthood. Having lived with the Dazas, a wonderful host family, during my language school program, I moved into our Formation House in a different part of the city. From here, I would walk to the city’s Cathedral during the weekdays for the 7:00 AM morning Mass.
I came to be familiar with many of the traders on the streets. There was a lady who sold delicious tucumanas (empanadas). Many others sold everyday items from makeshift stalls and tienditas (small retail shops) that lined the streets. Shopkeepers sold assorted items ranging from auto spare parts to apparel to stationery. We would wave our “buenos días” as I walked by. We did not know each other well, yet it seemed to me that we looked forward to seeing each other each morning.
I noticed a curious thing during those first days in Cochabamba. Whenever two or more people were at a stall, one would lightly pinch the other, then whisper something as I passed. This happened with a discernible regularity. I spoke about these observations with some of my language school teachers. I learned that my sighting was an occasion to wish luck to a friend or colleague. What was whispered was “suerte para ti” (good luck to you!) I learned that this was done whenever someone of African descent was seen.
It occurred to me that I was treading into the spiritual garden of a people. Further, I could, as the first reading from the book of Wisdom explains, prod deeper into this cultural phenomenon.
I’ve lived among cultures where the sighting of a person of African descent would prompt similar but less benign responses. There was something spiritual about this Bolivian cultural response to difference and to the difference of someone of African descent. There are a variety of ways of interpreting it.
The reading from Hebrews invites us to adopt an attitude of reverence. This is helpful when approaching the “other” person, culture and situation. Cultures, just like persons, are imbued with a mystery that points to God, to the creator of all. Sure, this mystery is mediated through human ways, still, the humble disciple of Christ will choose to sit where she’ll be invited into deeper truths – in God as God reveals Godself in a culture or in a person.
Mediated through the “other” we are invited to experience the awesomeness of God; the presence of Jesus Christ through the “blazing fire” manifested by South American cariño or other occurrences that may appear to be what Paul calls “gloomy darkness.” The darkness of polarity that impedes the practice of humility. The darkness of divisiveness that brings contention and controversy to everything rather than allow for the creation of unity.
Through the blazing fires and gloomy darkness of our lives, the letter to the Hebrews invites us to humbly discern God’s presence in the particular circumstances of our lives. God beckons to us to humbly approach God’s awesomeness.
To read other Scripture reflections published by the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns, click here.
Soon after his ordination, Maryknoll Father John Siyumbu was assigned to Peru.
Featured image: Newly-ordained Father Siyumbu (center) celebrated Mass at Old Saint Patrick’s Church in Chicago on June 12, 2022. Joining him are pictured (left to right) former mission educator Jorge Rivera, mission educator Barbara Escobar, Maryknoll Sister Norma Pocasangre, Maryknoll staff member Winnie Lopez, mission educator Luna and Seminarians Patrick Otiendo Okok and Matthew Sim. (Courtesy of the Maryknoll Young Adults)
