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Gospel: Matthew 11: 16-19
Jesus said to the crowds:
“To what shall I compare this generation?
It is like children who sit in marketplaces and call to one another,
‘We played the flute for you, but you did not dance,
we sang a dirge but you did not mourn.’
For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they said,
‘He is possessed by a demon.’
The Son of Man came eating and drinking and they said,
‘Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard,
a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’
But wisdom is vindicated by her works.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
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This is one of the more obscure passages in Matthew’s Gospel, making it difficult for us to find its immediate relevance to our lives today.
But a deeper dive may reveal a pearl of wisdom.
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Two of the most significant moments in community life are weddings and funerals – this is no less true today than it was in ancient Palestine. Weddings are moments of great joy, while funerals usher in sorrow.
Members of any community are expected to participate in these events when invited. As Saint Paul says, “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.”
Not doing so could be considered rude, hurtful, even offensive.
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In today’s Gospel, the Lord likens his ministry to a joyful wedding. All are invited to participate! Yet, for some reason, the crowds are not interested in celebrating; rather, they accuse him of being a glutton and a drunkard.
On the other hand, John the Baptist’s fire-and-brimstone style preaching stoked fear and repentance, much like a veil of grief descending upon a funeral. That didn’t please the crowds, either; they accused him of being possessed by a demon.
You can imagine the Lord throwing his hands up in frustration. Neither approach seemed to satisfy. But the truth can only be told in so many ways.
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We can feel that same sense of frustration when trying to share our faith with family members or friends today.
Whether we take the joyful approach of Christ, or the stern style of John, either path leads to the same end – an encounter with the Divine.
Still, faith can never be forced. We can only present the Gospel to those we love. After planting the seed, we water it with hope and prayer, leaving the rest up to God, and them.
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Image credits: (1) Life in Deep Ellum (2) Firebrand Magazine (3) 4Given