Vindicated by all Her Children
Gospel Reflection 09/20/23
USCCB Daily Mass Reading for September 20, 2023
The last line in today’s gospel reads, “wisdom is vindicated by all her children.”
An interesting note, that is not pointed out enough, is how often the genre/form of Ancient Israel wisdom literature exists in the gospels and on the lips of Jesus Himself. In fact, the beatitudes are the genre of wisdom literature as they are “blessings,” and in Luke’s version comes with the curses, or “woes.” There is a deep connection to wisdom being the revelation of God’s mind in the world and that of the Christian understanding of Logos—or the spoken word of God’s mind—Jesus Christ. Our Christian brothers & sisters recognized this connection by naming the once famous church in Constantinople Hagia Sophia—Holy Wisdom—after our Lord.
There are other literary allusions in this parable found in Luke. Take note of Jesus’ use of the phrase, “people of this generation.” Jesus is no doubt recalling the ‘wicked generation’ wandering in the desert after The Exodus who disobeyed God so many times, thus such a generation is the same in Jesus’ generation & the present one too.
So, what is the wisdom or understanding that Scripture is revealing to us with these allusions? The very likely existence of the reprobate and the elect. In fact, St. Paul takes up the theme in Letter to the Ephesians writing:
2 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.[1]
But there is hope with today’s gospel because one is not destined to belong to the wicked generation—the reprobate. By the grace of God, no one is predestined to wander in the desert with a wicked generation. We can choose with God’s help to no longer be children of wrath but children of wisdom. We can reject the spirit of disobedience by repenting and believing the gospel which was the opening proclamation of our Lord’s public ministry. We become “her children” through the means of Holy Baptism. We become part of the mystical body of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Church.
And, what will be the result?
The gospels remind us time and time again—the world will despise us for it. You can live a straight edge life like John the Baptist and many in the Church will call you too rigid. You can live your life with joy and celebration like our Lord with His disciples and others will call you too lenient—maybe not faithful to the gospel.
The point being however you live your life, if you live it for Christ then you will make enemies of the world. Our faith continues to vindicate the gospel and the Church. It vindicates our Lord to a world in desperate need of His word.
So, Proclaim the Gospel!
[1] English Standard Version Catholic Edition (n.p.: Augustine Institute, 2019), Eph 2:1–3.
This reflection would make a great Sunday homily! This is a message we must hear over and over again!