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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.’” Matthew 11:16–17
What does Jesus mean when He says “We played the flute for you…”
and “we sang a dirge…?” The Church Fathers clearly identify this
“flute” and “dirge” as the word of God that has been preached by
the prophets of old. So many came before Jesus to prepare the way,
but so many failed to listen. John the Baptist was the final and
greatest prophet, and he called people to repentance, but few
listened. Thus, Jesus points out this sad truth.
In our day and age, we have so much more than the prophets of the
Old Testament. We have the incredible witness of the saints, the
infallible teaching of the Church, the gift of the Sacraments and
the life and teaching of the Son of God Himself as recorded in the
New Testament. Yet, sadly, so many refuse to listen. So many fail
to “dance” and “mourn” in response to the Gospel.
We must “dance” in the sense that the gift of Christ Jesus, by His
life, death and resurrection should be the cause of our
wholehearted rejoicing and eternal adoration. Those who truly know
and love the Son of God are filled with joy! Furthermore, we must
“mourn” on account of the countless sins in our own lives and in
the lives of those all around us. Sin is real and prevalent, and a
holy sorrow is the only appropriate response. Salvation is real.
Hell is real. And both of these truths demand a total response from
us.
In your own life, how fully have you allowed the Gospel to affect
you? How attentive are you to the voice of God as it has been
spoken through the lives of the saints and through our Church? Are
you tuned in to the voice of God as He speaks to you in the depths
of your conscience in prayer? Are you listening? Responding?
Following? And giving your whole life in the service of Christ and
His mission? Reflect, today, upon the clear, unmistakable,
transforming and life-giving words and presence of the Savior of
the world.
Reflect upon how attentive you have been in life to all that He has
clearly spoken and to His very presence. If you do not find
yourself “dancing” for God’s glory and “mourning” over the evident
sins of your life and within our world, then recommit yourself to a
radical following of Christ. In the end, the Truth that God has
spoken throughout the ages and His holy and divine presence are all
that matter.
My glorious Lord Jesus, I acknowledge Your divine presence in my
life and in the world all around me. Help me to be more attentive
to the countless ways that You speak to me and come to me each and
every day. As I discover You and Your holy word, fill me with joy.
As I see my sin and the sins of the world, give me true sorrow so
that I will work tirelessly to combat my own sin and bring Your
love and mercy to those who are most in need. Jesus, I trust in
You.
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Featured image above: Let the Children Come, via flickr
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