15 December, 2023 | Friday of the Second Week of Advent

 Gospel Mt 11:16-19

Jesus said to the crowds:

"To what shall I 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.'

For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they said,

'He is possessed by a demon.'

The Son of Man came eating and drinking and they said,

'Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard,

a friend of tax collectors and sinners.'

But wisdom is vindicated by her works."

Learn from others , how to be wise...

Reflections:

Someone says, “If we like someone, they can do no wrong. If we don't like them, they can do no right.” The gospel of today, a continuation of yesterday’s gospel, tells us that although there are many who believe in John and in Jesus, there are many more who reject them and criticise, as Jesus says, “For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon’; the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’” Jesus compares these people to children playing in the market square, listening to no one, but being carried away by their own distractions, whims and fancies. The word of God today invites us to be realistic and objective. To see good and appreciate when it is found, and to be truthful when the opposite happens. We are also invited to focus on our relationship with God and to invest our energy doing his will even if we may have to face criticism and be discriminated and prejudiced against, for, his justification is all that matters.

Activity: 

Spend some time during the course of the day and see if you have the tendency to criticise, or give in to your prejudice, and ask God for the grace to see things or people as they are and act right.

Gospel Reflections: Caroline Duia FSP

Voiceover: Sharlene Fernandes