PRI Reflections on Scripture | Wednesday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time

Join Msgr. Don Fischer as he reads and delivers a short reflection on today’s gospel, followed by 3 1/2 minutes of contemplative music and a closing prayer. Msgr. Don hopes that today’s reflection on the gospel will empower you to carry the Word in your heart throughout the day.

Choose either the video or audio below.

Gospel

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."

Reflection

There are two responses to the Truth. One is rejection in the form of judgment. The other is acceptance and the transforming grace of what the truth brings. It's interesting to me to see the way the crowd perceived John the Baptist and Jesus. They didn't look at anything other than something they could condemn. Judge. Jesus is an alcoholic. John the Baptist was out of his mind.

How easy it is to judge and condemn how difficult it is to receive the truth that God longs for us to receive.

Closing Prayer

Father, it's your grace, your presence within us that enables us to grasp and understand after pondering the mysteries of this wonderful story called Salvation History. Bless us with that wisdom. Keep us from judgment, condemnation, and we ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Kyle Cross