Word to the Wise
Friday, December 11, 2015 - 2nd Week of Advent - Fri
[Isa 48:17-19 and Matt 11:16-19]FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2015 FRIDAY IN THE SECOND WEEK OF ADVENT [Isaiah 48:17-19 and Matthew 11:16-19] "But wisdom is vindicated by all her works." [Matthew] The image used by Jesus of the two groups of children teasing back and forth in the marketplace is much disputed by New Testament scholars. Some prefer Matthew's reading quoted above - "all her works." Some prefer the reading in Luke - "all her children." But I'm going to be brave and offer my own impression. That impression is best described as, "What's the bottom line here?" In both gospels there is the contrast between John and Jesus and neither side of the contrast is acceptable to the crowds. But in Matthew, Jesus says that his works will vindicate him. In Luke the image is more consistent in that the "children" image follows through. Here the emphasis is on Jesus as Wisdom and any of those who follow him. They are the "children of wisdom." They will "vindicate"him. The "bottom line" is that some people are just not going to accept Jesus' teaching. In the parable, lifestyle is used as the excuse for the non-acceptance of either John or Jesus. But the gospel is pointing to the long-term, and we know that Jesus has been vindicated. Advent allows us to see the "child of wisdom" born to us. Can we accept him without arguments in the marketplace? AMEN