THE WORD
Is 48: 17–19 / Mt 11: 16–19
Jesus said to 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.”
IN OTHER WORDS
Can anybody please everybody? The answer is a loud and clear NO. As a parish priest I had many co-workers who helped me a lot to realize our pastoral programs, but I also received criticism from others.
As a teacher I experience the same. When, at the end of the school year, I get the evaluation of my students, there are always many positive and encouraging words – but there are inevitably also negative evaluations, especially from those who fail in their exams.
As we read today’s gospel passage, we find that the great prophet John the Baptist experienced also both praise and criticism. Even Jesus, the Son of God, was not able to please everybody.
We feel the frustration in Jesus’ words, and yet, he went on; he did not give up; he had come with a mission and did not give up until his mission was accomplished.
Negative criticisms are only too common wherever we are. Of course, if we do something wrong, a negative criticism is valid. And, in such a case, it would be good to listen, reflect and honestly realize that what we did or say was wrong and even harmful. Then the critic would have helped us to change, grow and mature.
Often, however, a negative criticism is the result of envy, anger and unresolved personal problems. Such an unwarranted criticism can discourage and bring us to the point of giving up what we are doing. Here the example of John the Baptist and Jesus will help us, for they encourage us not to give in to such negative reactions. When we face our critics, we will do well to reflect as objectively and honestly as possible whether what is said about us is true or not. It can help us to realize the mistakes we have made and then to change – or else we should disregard criticisms which are unwarranted and then move on – as John the Baptist and Jesus did.
- Fr. Rudy Horst, SVD (CKMS, QC)
The Word in other words 2015
An annual project of Logos Publications, The WORD in Other Words Bible Diary contains daily scripture readings and reflections written by priest, brothers, and sisters of the three congregations founded by St. Arnold Janssen (the SVD, SSpS, and SSpSAP). It hopes to serve as a daily companion to readers who continually seek the correlation of the Word of God and human experience.
