SONS OF WISDOM

“But wisdom is vindicated by all her children.”-– Luke 7:35

“Less talk, less mistakes,” my parents taught me. Apart from the obvious lesson on the importance of silence, they also taught me the value of listening before speaking. Many times I took these lessons for granted and ended up spewing out opinions like an erupting volcano. Sadly, my barrage of words did me—and the people around me—no good. Opinions are neither right nor wrong but can still hurt others. When said without much thought, an opinion can masquerade as judgment.

In today’s Gospel, the religious authorities didn’t think before giving their opinions about Jesus and John. They called John “possessed” just because he fasted and lived in the desert, and Jesus they labeled “a glutton, drunkard, and a friend of tax collectors” because He ate and drank like other people did. Because their opinion had become judgment, the authorities were blind to John’s mission as he prepared the way for the Messiah, and Jesus’ identity as the Son of God who accepted and loved sinners.

But no matter what opinions society threw at them, Jesus and John stood their ground and were faithful in spreading the Good News. More than people’s opinions, the sons of wisdom only listened to the truth from the heavenly Father. Dina Pecaña (dina.p@shepherdsvoice.com.ph)

Reflect: “The wisest thing you can do is to keep quiet.” (Job 13:5, CEV)

Lord, there is nothing as certain as silence and prayer to help me understand myself. Reveal Yourself and I will be revealed. Amen.

St. Joseph of Cupertino, pray for us.

Paul tells Timothy that the Church is the guardian of truth. Let us take this seriously when it comes to matters of faith and morals. The world is liable to determine morality according to public debate and a vote. But God is the author of truth and, having passed authority to the Church, we need to listen to Him when it comes to such matters.

1 Timothy 3:14-16

14 Beloved: I am writing you, although I hope to visit you soon. 15 But if I should be delayed, you should know how to behave in the household of God, which is the Church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth. 16 Undeniably great is the mystery of devotion, who was manifested in the flesh, vindicated in the spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed to the Gentiles, believed in throughout the world, taken up in glory.

Psalm 111:1-2, 3-4, 5-6

R: How great are the works of the Lord!

1 I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart in the company and assembly of the just. 2 Great are the works of the Lord, exquisite in all their delights. (R) 3 Majesty and glory are his work, and his justice endures forever. 4 He has won renown for his wondrous deeds; gracious and merciful is the Lord. (R) 5 He has given food to those who fear him; he will forever be mindful of his covenant. 6 He has made known to his people the power of his works, giving them the inheritance of the nations. (R)

GOSPEL 

There will always be detractors of the work of the Church. Sometimes, we might be able to answer their accusations; at other times, the only language that will speak loud enough will be our humility and witness of life. Let us be ready to explain the teachings of the Church and equip ourselves adequately to live them. Words without witness will be easily forgotten.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life, you have the words of everlasting life.

Luke 7:31-35

31 Jesus said to the crowds: “To what shall I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? 32 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.’ 33 For John the Baptist came neither eating food nor drinking wine, and you said, ‘He is possessed by a demon.’ 34 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.’ 35 But wisdom is vindicated by all her children.”

think: How do you “speak” about Jesus without words?

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Read the Bible in one year - Psalm 119 

EMBODIED SPIRIT

There are people who are so obsessed with material things. In fact they only buy branded clothes, bags, and shoes. On the other hand, there are some who abhor and feel uncomfortable using new things. Let me introduce in this reflection the idea of dualism.

Dualism was a phenomenon which was widespread during the glory days of the Greeks. The effects of dualism are still felt in many different respects in our world today. It advocates that there is clear distinction or separation between the body and the spirit.

In our Gospel today, the Pharisees are depicted to have been influenced by dualism. “For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and drinking no wine; and you say, ‘He has a demon.’” Recall that John the Baptist was heralded as a model of ascetism: “John wore a garment of camel’s hair, and a leather girdle around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey” (Matthew 3:4).

On the other hand, Jesus likes to eat: “The Son of man has come eating and drinking.” He was into meal ministry: banquet at Matthew’s house, with Zacchaeus; the multiplication of loaves; and the last moment of His life at the Last Supper. Jesus was accused of being a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners, for He always ended His ministry with a meal.

In summary, John was accused of being too ascetic, too spiritual. Jesus was accused of being too materialistic. What we need to hit is the balance. We are a body with a spirit—we are an embodied spirit. Both have a place in our personhood. If we overemphasize one aspect, the result is a heresy. We strive not to exaggerate one element at the expense of downgrading the other.

The body and the spirit are necessary because we are human beings who live in the world. On the other hand, we are also spirit destined for God in eternity. Fr. Haluendo Amit, OCD

------- REFLECTION QUESTIONS ------

Do you take care both of your body and spirit? How?

Grant me wisdom and grace, Lord, to live my life in a holistic way. Amen.

Today, I pray for: ______________________________