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Gospel Reading for December 13, 2024 – Matthew 11: 16-19
CONFUSED
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.’ For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they said, ‘He is possessed by a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking and they said, ‘Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is vindicated by her works.”
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The generation at present we may say, is a CONFUSED generation and it is because those from this generation are victims of teachings that conflict with one another. Life nowadays has become SO COMPLICATED. There are newly created issues: gender identity, genetic engineering, assisted suicide, artificial intelligence, cryptocurrency, and so many others, such that the very basic issues since time immemorial: Poverty, Hunger, Lack of Education, Racism, are swept under the rug. It has been observed that the young people nowadays easily succumb to stress/pressure which later ends up in depression which they find difficult to handle because of their confusion. When things are not well-defined for us the way the teachings of Jesus are, the way Christian principles are, it will indeed be very hard to cope in this present life.
When German philosopher Karl Marx said that religion was the opium of the people, he caused a stir especially among Christians. Since opium is a depressant drug that slows down the messages travelling between our brain and body, Mr. Marx probably meant that religion teaches us to be slow to anger, to be more understanding with others, not to make rash judgments, to take time to rest and pray, in short, TO SLOW DOWN. When we “take time to smell the flowers,” we are able to count the blessings we receive each day, and from recognizing our blessings, we will be able to recognize the difficulties others are going through and be able to respond to their needs. If we are faithful to Jesus’ teachings, our main concern would be to uphold the dignity of the human being. It is why the Son of God became man.
Lord Jesus, may we always come to you when we are weary and are carrying heavy burdens so we may find rest (Matthew 11: 28).
