PHOTO: Christ and John the Baptist – Church of the Divine Wisdom, Istanbul
Jesus spoke to the crowds: What description can I find for this generation? It is like children shouting to each other as they sit in the market place:
We played the pipes for you,
and you wouldnt dance;
we sang dirges,
and you wouldnt be mourners.
For John came, neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He is possessed. The Son of Man came, eating and drinking, and they say, Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners. Yet wisdom has been proved right by her actions.
Mt 11,16-19
Todays gospel reading may resonate with many of you. You cant win. A child wants you to do one thing, your spouse another. Your boss has a vision for your project, but the people who will be putting it into action have their own ideas. And somewhere, at the bottom of the list is what you want to be doing. So, no matter what you do, some people are going to be unhappy. What are you to do?
This passage is similar to one found in Luke: a short parable followed by an explanation. The last verse in Luke is a bit different, and most biblical scholars think it is the original. Instead of wisdom being justified by her actions, she is justified by her children. The ending is where we discover how Jesus and John dealt with the dilemma.
Each remained faithful to who they were. John was a prophet, sent out to preach repentance, conversion, and to baptize those who received his message. He was to go before the Messiah and prepare his way. His austere lifestyle reflected his call. When Jesus came, John recognized him, identified him as the One who is to come, and receded into the background as Jesus public ministry began.
Jesus came to be with his people and to reveal to them and to us the face of God. He went were the sinners were. He ate with them, drank with them, and talked to them. Sick and suffering people sought him out and he healed them. Jesus’ immersed himself in people places. He retreated to the desert and quiet places for prayer, but his active ministry was in the heart of humanity.
Wisdom was proved right by her children. Jesus and John were faithful to who they were. The expectations of others did not determine their life choices. Those were made to follow God’s call.
Next time you feel torn in many directions and different people have different expectations of you, take time to be still with God, as John and Jesus did, discern what really matters and don’t worry about the rest.
© 2010 Mary van Balen
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