Daily Reflection – 9/18/19
Sacred Scripture
“Then 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.”( Luke 7:31-35)
Reflection
Today, Jesus confirms the hardness of heart of the people of his time, at least, as far as the Pharisees are concerned, so self-assured that nobody can convert them. They do not alter their mind not even before John the Baptist, they do not change either before the Son of Man, Their pride and arrogance are hiding behind these accusations: nobody is to teach them anything; they do not accept God, but they custom-make their own God, a God that would not move them from their convenience, privileges and involvement.
We are also running this risk. How often do we criticize everything: whether the Church says so, or because she has said that, or even when she says just the contrary, and we could just as well find all sort of faults when referring to God or to others. In actual fact, however, and perhaps unconsciously, we want to justify our laziness and lack of ambition for a true conversion, to excuse our own convenience and lack of flexibility.
We cannot expect God to speak to us in ways which we find congenial. He may speak to us through a saint or a sinner. Through a conservative or a liberal. Through a man or a woman – or a young child. Through an old person or a young person. Through an educated or an illiterate person… Through a local person or a foreigner. Through a straight or gay person… Through a saint or a sinner. We have at all times to be ready to listen with an unprejudiced mind and heart.
We must let the Word of God reach our heart and convert us, transforming us with its strength. But first, we must request the gift of humility. Only the humble souls are able to receive the grace of God and, therefore, let Him come close to us, since as “publicans” and “sinners” that we are we need him to heal us.. Woe betide those who claim that they do not need a doctor! The worst for any diseased is to believe he is healthy, because then the sickness will progress and he will never recover his health. We are all sick to death, and only Christ can save us, whether we realize it or not. Let us thank our Savior, and let us welcome him as such!
We should stop and reflect: if our lives have been attentive to listen to Jesus. Have I been attentive to myself? Am I aware of God’s working in my life? If not, we should consider bringing about those changes that will make us worthy and active in working for the Kingdom of God.
Prayer of The Day
Lord, May I open my heart to receive You. May I open my eyes to see You. May I open my ears to listen to your voice calling me. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen.
Daily Note
To what shall I compare the men of this generation?” If Jesus were to ask the same question today. How would he describe us? Are we like the spoiled children, who wouldn’t dance at the music, or who wouldn’t cry at a funeral song? The readings of today demand us to be in tune with the call of the Lord, to evaluate and fine-tune ourselves and our activities, in order to be truly members of God’s Kingdom.
