Jesus compared “this generation” to children who could not be satisfied. For when the flute was played for them they did not dance, when the dirge was played they did not mourn. There was no pleasing them. Jesus drew the parallel to the present bystanders who acted as fickle as the children. They criticized John as being possessed for practicing fasting and asceticism. They then accused Jesus of being a glutton and a drunkard because his choice of companions for table fellowship.
In today’s Gospel account, Jesus could have been addressing his detractors as well as his disciples. He encouraged his followers to be wary of wallowing in the mud of fickleness. He also wanted them to be sure that they were authentic dispensers of his truth and the will of his Father no matter the reaction of the people, for “wisdom is vindicated by her works” (Mt 11:19). Just as Jesus taught that false prophets would be revealed over time by their fruits (cf. Mt 7:16), so those who were true to his teachings would be vindicated, if not fully in this life, certainly then in the next.
Pope Francis said that “The first thing for a disciple is to be with the Master, to listen to him and learn from him” (Francis 2014, 15). May we pray for open hearts and minds eager and willing to hear the word of Jesus our Master and the courage to act upon his leading in our everyday circumstances. To do so, it is important that we slow down our pace and quiet our minds so that we can even hear his word. We also need to discern the difference between his voice, our own, as well as the many other voices, the enemy, distractions, diversions, and temptations that we hear.
God himself speaks to us in so many ways; directly in the silence of our hearts, through others, spiritual direction, small groups, fellowship, through the Bible, as well as our culture, and influences, as well as through his creation.
More often than not, we may not definitively know if what we discern or hear is coming from God. Yet, remaining paralyzed and doing nothing out of indecision will not help us to move forward. We can find support and confirmation from Scripture and Tradition, others who are wise and practiced in following God, then we can reassess our guidance and then act. If we are wrong, we learn from our mistakes, make adjustments, and begin again. If we are on the mark, this helps us to build our confidence in recognizing God’s voice.
Another important step in discipleship is that we are not to seek to impress, but to express. Adulation and acclaim for ourselves are not what we are about. Our firm intent is to become less so that Christ becomes more. We are also to resist moralizing and condemning others and instead be willing to meet people where they are, convict as needed, as we accompany and break open the word in practical ways so they see the benefits of having God in their lives. The invitation and life of a disciple of Jesus is not an easy one. Will we follow?
We need not be afraid that we cannot fulfill the teachings of Jesus in the gospels because we can’t on our own strength. That is the point. We need Jesus to do so. Just as in learning to walk, our beginning attempts more often than not ended with a thud and us sitting on the floor or ground looking up. Yet, we got up, and with continued practice, we gained strength, balance, made corrections, and so began to gain confidence and the ability to move forward, upright, step by wobbly step. When we seek the support of Mary, and we turn to and trust in Jesus, he will give us the strength to walk on.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. put it more eloquently when he spoke to students at Spelman College in April of 1960. “If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.” So it is in anything we do, but especially in the spiritual life. If we are not moving ahead we are falling behind.
Jesus, please help us to trust in you and accept your invitation to know you and your voice so that we may better know your will. Grant us the courage to follow your will, your plan for our good, and lead us on the path you would like us to go. Inspire us each day to be aware of those you would like us to serve and love. Help us to move forward one more step each day closer to you and being who you call us to be.
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Photo: Let us take the hand of Jesus and Mary as we begin each day and walk on.
Francis, Pope. The Church of Mercy: A Vision for the Church. Chicago: Loyola Press, 2014.
Spiritual Stepping Stones