Q. 194: What is so wrong with King David trying to spend his riches on the Lord, by building a temple in his honor?
A. 194: We Americans have a big "head" problem - we always want to be in charge, to be in control. The line between good pride (realistic self-esteem) and bad pride (e.g., arrogance) is many times blurred. King David was like that, sometimes (First Reading, 2 Sam 7). He decided that HE needed to build the Lord a house to dwell in. The Lord's answer sounds kind of like Robert de Niro in the movie "Taxi Driver" (i.e., "Are YOU talking to ME?"). The Lord said to David through Nathan the prophet, "Should YOU build ME a house...?" Nathan further advises David that the Lord said HE would establish a house for David, not the other way around. It is the Lord who is in charge!
However, by contrast when we read today's gospel story (Luke 1:26-38), we see the simple humility of the Virgin Mary. When the angel tells her that she is "highly favored" and "blessed among women," there is not a hint of pride. There is no "D-u-u-u-h! Of course I am blessed!" Instead she responds in meek lowliness, "I am the maidservant of the Lord." Whatever you want, Lord. Let it be done that way.
The Savior of the world, the Messiah, chose this way to come to us: through Mary. It is only a small step to realize that our own attitudes toward God are in focus: am I totally reliayworn God and his mercy and providence, like Mary, or do I dictate to him in my prayers the way I think it ought to be?
Know Your Catechism! The 10th Commandment deals with internal vices (greed and envy, CCC #2534); it talks about the "root" of those things forbidden by the 7th Commandment. In other words, it is all about our heart attitudes. True humility is "poverty of heart," to depend on God's providence for everything by being detached from all material possessions (CCC #2544). Another name for this is "poverty of spirit" (CCC 2546-47), which the Blessed Virgin lived so perfectly. Do I realize that Mary's attitude and example is the way I must travel to eternal life? What is my next step?
(Comments to Paul at deaconpaul@cox.net )
Mary Our Queen Parish, Omaha