The words “meek” and “weak” both flow into English from old Germanic and Norse roots. They rhyme, and many would consider them to mean the same thing: lacking in power. Or, at least, that being meek is the demeanor of those who are weak. Lacking power, one has no choice but to be quiet, gentle, easily imposed on, submissive.
Yet our faith proclaims meekness to be a virtue. Indeed, it is a strength that is characteristic of God himself. Because all power belongs to God, God can only enter our lives in meekness, deliberately setting aside all pretensions of power. If God did not do this, God would overwhelm us.
God’s relationship to us is a bit like parents letting kids be kids, or an elephant tiptoeing through tulips. Indeed, the best image of God’s meekness can be found simply by looking into the heavens. The sun in the sky is our great blessing precisely because it maintains its life-giving distance.
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The Rev. Terrance W. Klein is a priest of the Diocese of Dodge City and author of Vanity Faith.
With thanks to America, where this article originally appeared.
