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: Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, in today’s Gospel, Jesus exposes this exact, human tendency; He compares the people of His day, to fickle children sitting in the marketplace, complaining that others, won’t play along with their games. John the Baptist came, fasting and living a harsh life in the desert, and the critics dismissed him as mad. Jesus came celebrating, eating, and drinking with tax collectors and sinners, and those same critics labeled Him, a glutton and a drunkard. No matter how God delivered His message of salvation, the people found a reason to reject it. They weren’t seeking the truth; they were looking for an excuse, to ignore it.
It is easy to look back at the Pharisees and judge them, but we must ask ourselves, how often we do, the exact same thing, today? We do this, when we tune out a homily, because we don’t like the priest’s or the deacon’s, speaking style. We do this, when we dismiss a holy teaching, because it challenges our personal comfort or political views. We even do this, when a spouse, a friend, or a coworker, offers us loving, Christian correction, but we ignore the truth of their words, because we don’t like the delivery. Like the crowds in the marketplace, we try to make God dance to our tune, rather than letting His Word transform our hearts. By that, we choose not to be transformed, by His Word.
But Jesus concludes, with a powerful reminder: “Wisdom is vindicated, by all her children.” True wisdom requires the humility, to silence our inner critic, and listen for God’s voice, whether it comes through the fierce thunder, of John the Baptist, or the gentle mercy of Jesus.
Today, the Church celebrates the Memorial of, Saints Cornelius (Pope) and Cyprian (Bishop), Martyrs. It honors two leaders, who remained faithful to God’s truth, even when facing rejection and division, from the world around them. Their lives show, the true wisdom Jesus speaks of, in today’s Gospel, which is proven right, by those, who faithfully follow it.
Action for the day: The next time, you are in front of the Blessed Sacrament, pray for the grace of an open heart. Drop your defenses, and ask Him, to send the Holy Spirit, to help you recognize, God’s truth—no matter how, or through whom, He chooses to deliver it.
Audio Reflection:
Thank you. God bless.
Ever since I met you at Panera while you were visiting Deacon Mike and Deacon Paul, I try to listen to your weekly reflections. Thank you.