A reading from the Gospel according to Luke 7:31-35
Jesus said to the crowds:
31 “To what shall I compare the people of this generation? What are they like?
32 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.’
33 For John the Baptist came neither eating food nor drinking wine,
and you said, ‘He is possessed by a demon.’
34 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.’
35 But wisdom is vindicated by all her children.”
Gospel reflection: Luke 7:31-35
In the gospel reading above, Jesus poured out His frustration with people such as the Pharisees and scribes who were critical of Him and John the Baptist. Although both of them lived their lives differently, the Pharisees and other religious authorities did not accept or listen to them.
As in the time of Jesus, the people in our age have different demands and responses to situations. They have different and sometimes opposing criteria in judging things and situations such that we can never please everybody. No matter what we do, people will always criticize us. Damn if you do, damn if you don’t. Some people are really childish. They have lots of unreasonable demands from others but which they themselves are incapable of doing.
Let us examine ourselves. Perhaps, we are those kinds of people. We too are judgmental. We have our own prejudices and biases. Many times we focus on tiny faults of others and we overlook their good nature.
Let us be reminded of the golden rule. If we don’t like people to criticize us, then let us stop being critical of them. Instead, let us develop the habit of understanding their situation and continually engage with them in a positive manner. Thus, even when people judge us unfairly, we know better than to get mad at them. That means we are not affected so much by people’s reactions. If we continue to do good, time will come when we get vindicated. That is the wisdom of being good.
Like the moon and the stars, let us continue to shine even if there are dark clouds before us.
*****
In this Gospel reading, Jesus speaks about how people rejected both John the Baptist and Himself, despite their different approaches. John lived a strict, austere life, yet people said he had a demon. Jesus, on the other hand, associated with all kinds of people, eating and drinking with them, and they called Him a glutton and a friend of sinners. This passage highlights a deep truth: sometimes, no matter what you do or how you live, people will criticize and judge you.
Jesus shows us that it’s not about meeting others’ expectations, but about staying true to God’s calling. John and Jesus each had a unique mission, and neither could please everyone. But they were faithful to the purpose God gave them, and in the end, wisdom is proved right by her children (Luke 7:35). This means that over time, the truth of their actions and teachings would become clear, even if it wasn’t immediately recognized by everyone.
For us today, this passage offers an inspiring message about living for God, not for the approval of others. There will always be people who misunderstand or criticize us, no matter what we do. If John, with his life of fasting and prayer, was called strange, and Jesus, with His love and openness, was called a friend of sinners, then we, too, will face judgment. But the key is to remain focused on God’s purpose for our lives.
When we live according to God’s will, the fruit of our lives will show His wisdom and grace. Our kindness, compassion, and faithfulness to God’s commands will be the evidence of His work in us. Like Jesus and John, we may not be understood right away, but God sees our hearts, and that’s what truly matters.
This passage encourages us to persevere in doing good, regardless of the opinions of others. In a world that constantly judges based on appearances or expectations, we are called to live differently — grounded in God’s truth, secure in His love, and faithful to His calling. As long as we seek to please God, not people, we will walk in wisdom, and our lives will bear the fruit that proves the goodness of God.
So let us stay faithful, stay true, and let our lives reflect God’s wisdom.
