First Reading - Isaiah 48:17-19
Gospel - Matthew 11:16-19
The gospel presents Pharisees and Scribes as the irresponsible street children. Jesus compares the attitude of the Scribes and the Pharisees to that of street-children who want to entertain themselves by playing wedding and funeral songs. They divide themselves into two groups. But when one group proposes to sing wedding songs and asks the other group to dance, the second group will propose funeral songs and ask the first group to carry one of them on their shoulders as they act out a funeral procession. In the end both groups will be frustrated. Jesus states that the Scribes and Pharisees act exactly like these irresponsible and immature children because of their pride and prejudice. Jesus criticizes the unbelieving Jews for not listening either to John the Baptist, who preached a message of austerity and repentance, or to Jesus, who preached the good news of love, mercy and salvation.
My dear friends, we might also have been trapped to such situations of such contrast and frustrating moments, where our works were appreciated by some and upbraided by others. What is our reaction? Either we become inactive or reactive. What could be the attitude we should have at this point? The attitude of doing what is right and pleasing to God and our conscience. The first reading exhorts the people of Israel to walk the path of the commandment of God and they will be happy. This exhortation is given to the people of Israel who have returned from the exile. Walking the path of commandment is an invitation to the people to do what is right, just and pleasing to God. Jesus did not wish to please either of the groups but clung unto what is right, pleasing to his Father and justifiable by his conscience. We can also confront such situations by contrast in our lives by doing what is right, pleasing to God and true to our conscience. May God help us to discern his will and way in our lives.
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