The Gospel according to Luke 7:31-35

“Jesus said to the crowds: “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.”

Reflection

“To what shall I compare the people of this generation?” Our Lord expresses disappointment and frustration with the hard-heartedness of that generation. In today’s manner of speaking, we would say, ‘I can’t win for-lose’; John the Baptist came to make straight the way of the Lord and people said he was possessed by a demon; the Son of Man came eating and drinking and they said, ‘Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard’. Our Lord, however, ends with a consoling statement, “But wisdom is vindicated by all her children”, that is, wisdom will be proved right by her children. St. Louis de Montfort refers to Jesus as ‘Wisdom’ personified. At the end of time, Jesus will be proved right by his children.

Today, God is still in our midst but it seems as if only a few recognize Him and others out-right reject Him. There is a certain blindness or stupor afflicting those around us, including those in our immediate and extended family. But I’m not discouraged! I believe Jesus gives us the solution in this Gospel reading; we need to pray for wisdom – one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Sacred scriptures (Isaiah 11:2) and Holy Mother Church (CCC 1831) teach us what the gifts of the Holy Spirit are, namely: wisdom, understanding, counsel, knowledge, fortitude, piety, and fear of the Lord (wonder and awe). I want to go to heaven and I want my immediate and extended family to go to heaven! I’m spending more time nowadays asking the Holy Spirit to pour out His free gifts, especially the gift of wisdom, on us all, on me, my family, and friends.