Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“We played the flute for you, but you did not dance.”

 

Gospel Reading: 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.

 

When Jesus spoke to his disciples, his message must have fallen on deaf ears. Jesus was disappointed at the Israelites because they were not excited to hear his message. Can you imagine Jesus coming and speaking at church and you yawn in boredom? Or even worse, you completely ignore him while you’re talking with your friends or fall asleep. Can you image him coming and getting mad at him because celebrates with sinners, beggars and prostitutes? The Israelites were “bored” with Jesus’ message. They did not want to hear what he had to say. They yawned at him and made up excuses not to be with him. Is this not our reaction when we hear Jesus? Do we try to avoid going to be with God? Are you excited to be able to celebrate the Eucharist or do you makeup excuses to miss Mass? Anytime you have the opportunity to engage the Word, whether through formation, fellowship, adoration, or reconciliation, you should dance with joy because God is with you in a very special way. Jesus gave us the sacraments so we could have a life-long encounter with Christ. When we meet Christ in the sacraments, we should praise God with all the same fanfare we celebrate New Year’s. The Israelites were “bored” because they could not see the greatness of the Lord. But it is out of our blindness that we cannot see the celebration which Christ has brought to us. We let the devil enter the picture to divert our eyes from the true happiness we should experience when we are with Christ. God is piping us a beautiful song, we should stand and dance with the Lord. We should get lost in his celebration.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord Jesus, I want to hear your music and celebrate,

May the good news of gospel fill my heart with joy and love

So I may serve you here on Earth.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon