A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke (7:31-35)
Jesus said to the crowds:
“To what shall I compare the people of this generation?
What are they like?
They are like children who sit in the marketplace and call to one another,
‘We played the flute for you, but you did not dance.
We sang a dirge, but you did not weep.’
For John the Baptist came neither eating food nor drinking wine,
and you said, ‘He is possessed by a demon.’
The Son of Man came eating and drinking and you said,
‘Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard,
a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’
But wisdom is vindicated by all her children.”
REFLECTION: If you noticed in today’s Gospel, Jesus is no longer just teaching, no longer just healing. He is now also challenging the disciples. And be aware, He is also challenging us. He challenges the religious authorities, who criticized John the Baptist and also criticize Jesus, and He challenges those in the crowd, who are not open to the new thing, John the Baptist announced, or Jesus teaches. Jesus says; “To what shall I compare the people, of this generation? What are they like?
John the Baptist came announcing; “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand”. On the other hand, Jesus’ way is gentler, and in the form of a question: do you want to be redeemed or not? More like an invitation, to a new life of freedom, and reconciliation with God, in a way that it does not force anyone, to accept it or follow Him. Regardless, the stern message that came from John the Baptist, or Jesus’ gentler way, the crowds were too stubborn, and many refused both.
Let me set it in another way, similar to Luke’s Gospel. Imagine children playing in a playground. One group of children play a joyful game, with laughter and fun. While another group of children play a game, full of stricter rules and challenges. Both group of children, invite other children to play with them, but they refuse to play in either game. They are like “spoiled children”, who won’t join in, no matter what the game is. Instead, they made fun of both games.
John the Baptist’s message was like the children that played the game, full of stricter rules and challenges. He was serious and called people, to repent of their sins; “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” But the people were saying, ‘He is possessed by a demon.’ They didn’t like his way, and found John the Baptist too stern, and weird!
On the other hand, Jesus’ teaching, was like the children that played the joyful game, full of laughter and fun. Jesus was gentle and welcoming. He ate with people and celebrated, which was a joyful message of hope. But people said, ‘Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ They didn’t like Jesus’ way either. They found Jesus, too loose, eats too much, and He is a drunkard! No matter, John the Baptist way or Jesus’ way, the people found reasons to complain and reject them both. Because of this, Jesus was saying, “But wisdom is vindicated by all her children.” Meaning, the wise people are those, who respond with faith and good actions, to God’s message, whether it comes from John the Baptist, Jesus, or other messengers of God.
We should be like the wise children, and be open to God’s voice, even when the message or the messenger, is not what we expect. We shouldn’t be like the children in the marketplace, who only wanted to make fun, of the other children’s games. They didn’t like John the Baptist’s strict way, and they didn’t like Jesus’ joyful way. The reality was, they just didn’t like playing God’s way! God’s truth is like a game, where all are playing together, and true followers of God, are the children who join in, and play well, no matter what game is being played.
Today, to many people on following Jesus, find it too radical. They refuse to give up the demands of society, that emphasizes personal autonomy and relativism. Some even mock, true followers of Jesus Christ and refuse to believe, “Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life”.
ACTION FOR THE DAY: Set aside time today, in the silence of your sacred space, and reflect on today’s Gospel, to see how your heart aligns, with John the Baptist’s way, and Jesus’ way.
Then pray to God, to help you to be open to His messengers, and message, even if it comes in unexpected ways, or in different “styles,” and that true wisdom is shown, as you accept God’s loving guidance.
AUDIO REFLECTION:
