Wednesday of the Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
We can best understand our Gospel selection today by reading it in its context, Luke 7:18-35. You may find it helpful to pause and pray that entire selection. In the text for today, Jesus explains, by means of a short parable, that anyone like the Pharisees who reject John the Baptist (and folded in with him all the prophets) also reject him. In essence, Jesus invites his listeners, including us, to ask themselves whether they are listening and responding to him and to his messengers. Let us examine ourselves today, and in humility ask the hard question, am I listening to Jesus and am I willing to do what he says?
Jesus reveals to the Pharisees and others with hardened hearts that by rejecting John, they also reject him. He refers to them as “the people of this generation,” a phrase loaded with negative connotations. Elsewhere in scripture, this phrase describes people who turn from God to follow their own will and devices. The “people of this generation” are like fickle children, who should be about their play with carefree abandonment, but instead languish about neither dancing nor weeping. These images call to mind Christ the bridegroom who eats and drinks with even the worst of sinners, and John the Baptist who fasted and practiced self-discipline.
With this image of fickle children in mind, consider Luke 7:23, “And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me,” contrasted with Luke 7:30, “but the Pharisees and scholars of the law, who were not baptized by him [John], rejected the plan of God for themselves.”
At this point, I invite us to take a hard look at ourselves. What parts of Jesus’ teaching throughout the Gospels are difficult for me to hear? For example, when I hear certain texts, what makes me cringe? What parts do I find myself wanting to dismiss or simply ignore? What aspects of Jesus’ words cause me to feel uncomfortable or uneasy? Are there any parts of the Gospel that I find myself wanting to reject? What parts do I find challenging to apply in my life? For example, do I find it difficult or even impossible to forgive (myself or others)? Do I resist being generous with my time, talents, or treasure? Am I unable to love the ones I consider unlovable? Do I shy away from the Sacraments, particularly Eucharist or Reconciliation? Those are just a few prompts. With which of our Lord’s words do you struggle?
The Catechism of the Catholic Church begins, “God, infinitely perfect and blessed in himself, in a plan of sheer goodness freely created man to make him share in his own blessed life.” We are created to share in God’s goodness and blessedness! “And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me” (7:23). Today, let us consider carefully any ways that we might be pharisaically rejecting God’s plan, and let us repent of that before our merciful Father. Perhaps a simple prayer might be, “God, thank you for creating me to share in your blessed life! Help me by your grace not to stumble today, but to gratefully respond to your Word.”
Jesus closes today’s message with a proverb, “But wisdom is vindicated by all her children.” Rather than fickle children in the marketplace, Jesus invites us to be children of wisdom. She “teaches her children” (Sir. 4:11), through Jesus who is filled with wisdom (Luke 2:40, 52). Just as the Bridegroom comes “eating and drinking” (7:34), he invites us to receive what he offers through divine wisdom, “Come, eat of my bread, and drink the wine I have mixed” (Prov. 9:5). Seeking wisdom in humility becomes an antidote to resisting God’s word. By growing in wisdom, we become better able not only to understand God’s word, but to truly receive it and live it. Come, O Wisdom of God, fill our hearts and our minds, our very lives this day, and let us know the blessedness, the happiness, that comes from taking no offense at God.
I’ll see you in the Eucharist,
Elizabeth Wells