GOSPEL REFLECTION 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.” The following reflection is courtesy of Don Schwager (c) 2014, whose website is located at dailyscripture.net Meditation: What do childrens games have to do with the kingdom of God? Games are the favorite pastime of children who play until their energy is spent. The more interaction the merrier the game. The children in Jesus parable react with disappointment because they cannot convince others to join in their musical play. They complain that when they make merry music such as played at weddings, no one dances or sings along - and when they play mournful tunes for sad occasions such as funerals, it is the same dead response. This refrain echoes the words of Ecclesiastes 3:4, there is a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance. Both joyful and sad occasions - such as the birth of a child and the homecoming of a hero or the loss of a loved one or the destruction of a community or nation - demand a response. To show indifference, lack of support, or disdain is unfitting and unkind. Spiritual indifference and deaf ears can block Gods word for us Jesus message of the kingdom of God is a proclamation of good news that produces great joy and hope for those who will listen - but it is also a warning of disaster for those who refuse to accept Gods gracious offer. Why did the message of John the Baptist and the message of Jesus meet with resistance and deaf ears? It was out of jealously and spiritual blindness that the scribes and Pharisees attributed John the Baptists austerities to the devil and they attributed Jesus table fellowship as evidence for pretending to be the Messiah. They succeeded in frustrating Gods plan for their lives because they had closed their hearts to the message of John the Baptist and now they close their ears to Jesus, Gods anointed Son sent to redeem us from bondage to sin and death. Those who hunger for God will be satisfied What can make us spiritually dull and slow to hear Gods voice? Like the generation of Jesus time, our age is marked by indifference and contempt, especially in regards to the message of Gods kingdom. Indifference dulls our ears to Gods voice and to the good news of the Gospel. Only the humble of heart who are hungry for God can find true joy and happiness. Do you listen to Gods word with expectant faith and the willingness to trust and obey? Lord Jesus, open my ears to hear the good news of your kingdom and set my heart free to love and serve you joyfully. May nothing keep me from following you with all my heart, mind, and strength. The following reflection is courtesy of Presentation Ministries (c) 2014. Their website is located at presentationministries DO YOU LOVE? If I give everything I have to feed the poor and hand over my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:3 Without love, even the best things in your life mean nothing. Therefore, the most important questions in the world are: Do you love the Lord with all your heart and soul? (Lk 10:27) Do you love your neighbor as yourself? (Lk 10:27) Do you love your brothers and sisters in Christ? (1 Jn 4:7) Do you love your enemies? (Lk 6:27, 35) Are you growing in love? To answer these questions, we must know the meaning of love. The way we came to understand love was that [Jesus] laid down His life for us; we too must lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters (1 Jn 3:16). Love is not a feeling or an experience; rather, it is a commitment to be faithful to others even if we must die for them. Love is long-suffering and bearing others burdens (see 1 Cor 13:4). It is not jealous, proud, and selfish; it is forgiving (see 1 Cor 13:5). The perfect picture of love is Jesus hanging on the cross. There is no greater love than this: to lay down ones life (Jn 15:13). It is precisely in this that God proves His love for us (Rm 5:8). To love authentically, more deeply, and even completely (see 1 Jn 4:12, 17, 18), we must become purified. We are purified by obedience, especially by obeying the Lord in being faithful and true to the people He puts in our lives (1 Pt 1:22). God is Love (1 Jn 4:8, 16). Live in love (Jn 15:9-10). Prayer: Father, may love displace fear in my life (1 Jn 4:18). Promise: Love never fails. 1 Cor 13:8 Praise: St. Robert was the great nephew of Pope Marcellus II and spiritual father of St. Aloysius Gonzaga. Brilliant in Church teaching, Robert found his faith in the person of Jesus Christ.
Posted on: Wed, 17 Sep 2014 12:56:17 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015