Conversion or Irritation?

Gospel Reflection for September 18, 2024

Icon of Christ, The Theotokos, and John the Baptist

“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.” Luke 7:31-35

Today’s gospel is mysterious. Jesus speaks in veiled terms to the people in the presence of the Pharisees. Yet again, we find Him at odds with the leaders of His time. For today, I simply want to point out His analogy towards the end of this passage. He uses both Himself and John the Baptist as an example of when someone does not want to hear the truth, they won’t.

Our Lord describes Himself and John in two opposite states, one eating and one not. In both cases, Jesus and John are both vilified for the opposite action. This is to draw the conclusion that no matter what either person did, there were those who would not listen to them. Both John and Christ came to convert hearts and save souls. Their message, one in nature, challenged the prevailing thoughts of the day. Both were rejected and despised and went to their own martyrdom.

At the end of the day, it did not matter what John or Jesus were advocating for. Those who would reject them were going to do it anyway, regardless of what was said. This is the lesson we need to remember today. The truth either converts or it irritates. For those that it irritates, they will vilify the deliverer of that truth. This is the distinction between the proud and the humble.

St. John the Baptist and Our Lord Jesus Christ are both calling us out of our sin and into the glory of God. Will this truth convert us or irritate us? Will we reject it out of pride because it is uncomfortable, or will we submit in humility to what is meant to perfect us?