First reading 1 Timothy 3:14-16
The mystery of our religion is very deep
At the moment of writing to you, I am hoping that I may be with you soon; but in case I should be delayed, I wanted you to know how people ought to behave in God’s family – that is, in the Church of the living God, which upholds the truth and keeps it safe. Without any doubt, the mystery of our religion is very deep indeed:
He was made visible in the flesh,
attested by the Spirit,
seen by angels,
proclaimed to the pagans,
believed in by the world,
taken up in glory.
Responsorial Psalm 110(111):1-6
Great are the works of the Lord.
or
Alleluia!
I will thank the Lord with all my heart
in the meeting of the just and their assembly.
Great are the works of the Lord,
to be pondered by all who love them.
Majestic and glorious his work,
his justice stands firm for ever.
He makes us remember his wonders.
The Lord is compassion and love.
He gives food to those who fear him;
keeps his covenant ever in mind.
He has shown his might to his people
by giving them the lands of the nations.
Gospel Luke 7:31-35
‘We played the pipes, and you wouldn’t dance’
Jesus said to the people:
‘What description can I find for the men of this generation? What are they like? They are like children shouting to one another while they sit in the market-place:
‘“We played the pipes for you,
and you wouldn’t dance;
we sang dirges,
and you wouldn’t cry.”
‘For John the Baptist comes, not eating bread, not drinking wine, and you say, “He is possessed.” The Son of Man comes, eating and drinking, and you say, “Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.” Yet Wisdom has been proved right by all her children.’
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Belonging to Wisdom
John the Baptist, who lived an austere life in the desert, was perceived by the people as “possessed”. In contrast, Jesus came eating and drinking and was labelled as a “glutton, a drunkard, and a friend of tax collectors and sinners”. People judged both John and Jesus based on superficial appearances, but things are not always as they seem from the outside. The invitation today is to stop being judgmental, as there are always hidden truths in others that we may not know.
At the end, Jesus said, “Yet Wisdom has been proved right by all her children.” Today, we are called to live as children of God’s Wisdom, which often contradicts human expectations and standards. Let us allow Wisdom to guide us as we make choices that reflect God’s love and truth.
Reflective question:
How can I demonstrate that I am a child of Wisdom in my daily life?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year C” by Sr Maria Jose FMVD.
