Jesus said to the crowds: "To what I shall 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.'” Matt 11: 16-17
God is good, all the time.
Friends: In today's gospel, Jesus unusually relates life in God with children in a playground. Jesus said, "To what I shall 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.'
The comparison refers to the two sides of life in God. Jesus reminds us that following God is like going to the playground, and it is essential we don't overlook the games available to us. Discipleship is a mix of blessings and sacrifices, mountain top experiences, and deep valleys to walk in. Life will never take only one form alone for the Christian.
Jesus reminds us to embrace and learn from what both He and John brought to us and experienced as being the ways of God for all who follow Him John characteristically lived an austere, disciplined life; one that symbolizes struggles, pains, doubts, isolation, and uncertainties that the Christian may experience. Jesus, however, brings into our life abundance, presence, and exquisite joy.
As Isaiah mentions in the first reading, “I, the Lord, your God, teach you what is for your good, and lead you on the way you should go.” The Lord invites us to be willing to dance to the music he and John came to play as well as mourn to the dirges they sing to us. The Christians are don’t refuse what God permits to come their way. The vital thing for the followers of Christ to do is accepting to dance and mourn while keeping their eyes on God and move towards him.
Prayer blessings: Lord, you have shown that you can bring greatness and lowliness, joyful and mournful time to us. Help us to take whatever comes one day at a time, while steering towards you. Amen.