Word to the Wise
Wednesday, September 16, 2009 - Sts. Cornelius and Cyprian, Martyrs
[1 Timothy 3:14-16 and Luke 7:31-35]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."
At some point in life, we all meet people who will not listen no matter what is said or who says it. Jesus compares such folks to the words of a popular "ditty" amongst children. John the Baptist is rejected because "He has a demon." Jesus is rejected because he ate with "tax collectors and sinners." On occasion, a student would come to me for advice about a particular goal and I would be treated to the interesting process of having every single avenue to that goal rejected for one reason or another - generally because the goal by its very nature required some inconvenience or sacrifice! They would even admit that they had talked to others who had told them the same things! Jesus points out that those who listen to him are Wisdom's children. They are not rejecting the message of salvation because it doesn't meet one of their lifestyle demands or for other trivial reasons. It is difficult to be in the position of one offering something that can make a difference of the kind that Christianity can offer and find that no one will listen because they are so distracted by the secular cultural and economic noise or empty philosophy parading under the title of "enlightenment" that surrounds us. Yet Wisdom's children have to continue to live by Wisdom and be confident that ultimately that Wisdom will prevail. AMEN