Gospel Reading for September 17, 2025 – Luke 7: 31-35
IN ABUNDANCE
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.”
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Indeed, it wasn’t easy for John the Baptist and Jesus to make all people believe in their teachings. It was a case of “Damn if you do; Damn if you don’t.” This is how many people behave in this world. Maybe, our generation is even worse than Jesus’ generation.
But, through it all, John the Baptist did not stop (it caused his death) and likewise, Jesus did not stop (it also caused his death).
If the way Christians live will contribute to the goodness or even multiply the goodness there is in this world, even if people during the time of John and Jesus did not believe in them, what they taught is vindicated by us. Their teachings may have caused their deaths, but their deaths brought life IN ABUNDANCE, because they continue to live in those who embraced their teachings, teachings that redeemed the whole world.
When we are challenged by the evil one, let us not allow him to win over us! As long as we insist on being and doing good, the evil one will never win!
Lord Jesus, may we contribute to your light that shines in the darkness of our generation!
