If you would like some interesting and profitable reading, you might explore Chapters six through eight of the Book of Judges, in which you will find the story of Gideon, not one of your most well known figures.

Gideon was a simple farmer, who spoke simple language. He even spoke with God as if he was a nearby farmer. Many of us trained and accustomed to a formalized relationship might even find this casual relationship shocking.

Gideon did not hesitate to talk with God about his doubts concerning him, (as we heard yesterday regarding St. Jane Frances. The remarkable thing about Gideon and all the saints was their humility.

When called by God to be a leader of the people, he protested that he had none of the qualities necessary. He was rightly concerned about the odds of the enemy positioned against him. Remember judges at that time were not so much court magistrates, though they often were called to settle disputes; but they were more like a governor—generals in the days of colonial America. God said to Gideon: Do not worry (one of the more than 365 times that commandment appears throughout the Bible God, added) Know that I will always be with you.

Humility was exactly the quality that God was looking for. It is always the quality for which he looks. Humility is not humiliation—humility is accepting imperfection and need for growth. Humility is accepting that it is perfectly human to be imperfect and perfectly Divine to be perfect. The lack of humility places ourselves in the latter category and makes us useless to God who doesn’t want our competition.

God wanted it to be clear to Gideon, and to the people, that He, God, and not some military brilliancy or power would bring about this lopsided victory.

In the gospel Jesus likewise gives a stern warning about relying on material possessions for our security. It can be very tempting for the wealthy or even those who struggle to have to put their trust in money, property, whatever kinds of financial investments rather than to trust in God.