√ Paper, paint or coloured paper, glue, and scissors, markers
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Take a moment to centre yourselves and arrive together. If you have small children, you might specifically invite them to take five deep breaths.
Light a Candle
Opening Prayer
Spirit of Love, you are with us always. We ask for open hearts and open minds as we seek to live in a way that honours the earth and all her children. Amen.
Spirit of Love, you are with us always. We ask for open hearts and open minds as we seek to live in a way that honours the earth and all her children. Amen.
Song: God Bless Every Step
Humility is represented by the wolf. The wolf is strong and powerful alone, but finds its greatest strength when part of a pack. Humility is to know that you are a sacred part of creation. Live life selflessly and not selfishly. Respect your place and carry your pride with your people and praise the accomplishments of all. Do not become arrogant and self-important. Find balance within yourself and all living things (The Seven Grandfather Teachings: Humility, Uniting Three Fires Against Violence).
Gallery Paintings
Take time to explore the art entitled “Humility” in the online exhibition. Sift through the artist reflections as the age and stage of any children present allows.
What do you notice about the artwork? What do you wonder about the artwork?
Bible Reflection
Sometimes humility has been used in Christianity to suggest that we should give of ourselves at the expense of being able to take care of ourselves. This idea doesn’t seem to be what wolf is teaching; so, are there other ways that we can think of humility in the Christian tradition?
In the Hebrew Bible, the prophet Micah urges the Hebrew people “do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God” (6:8). Perhaps this means that we are to move through life knowing that we are dependent upon God for the very gift of life and all that is. And, in knowing our dependence on God, we are to deal justly and kindly with others. But what of our dependence not only on God but on each other? Perhaps for this we should turn to the Letter to the Colossians.
Colossians 12:3-15
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. 13 Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. 13 Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.
The writer of Colossians connects humility with compassion, kindness, meekness, and patience, and then urges his readers to forgive one another. These qualities are bound together with love, leading us to be “one body” and to experience gratitude for this gift of community. The “pack” of the community requires each person to recognise their own shortcomings and forgive those of others. The image of putting on humility and love like someone puts on clothes (this image is used twice!) suggests thoughtfulness and care for ourselves as we consider our care for others. The sense is that strength and gratitude for community emerges when we understand ourselves as interdependent, not when we give too much of ourselves or force others to give up too much of themselves. This might be something we could learn from wolf.
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus makes a statement that can be somewhat puzzling: “Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (5:3). Might wolf be suggesting that we understand the blessing of being “poor in spirit” as a kind of humility, perhaps an ability to see ourselves as interdependent and, in doing so, find the strength to live in a good way here on earth?
Reflection Questions
In what ways are you dependent on other people?
In what ways are you dependent on other parts of creation?
What are things you don’t know or understand that someone else has more knowledge about?
What is something you can’t do that you rely on others for?
Art Activity
Either paint your feet and make footprints on paper or trace your feet.
On or around the footprints write the things for which you rely on others.
Either paint your feet and make footprints on paper or trace your feet.
On or around the footprints write the things for which you rely on others.
Song: The Earth Does Not Belong To Us
Closing Prayer
May we journey with humility until we meet again. Amen.
May we journey with humility until we meet again. Amen.
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Explore another page of the Home Engagement Resource rituals.
Simply click on the word/teaching you want to pursue.
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For a Shorter Daily Ritual,
Go here.
Go here.