9/16/2026 (Wednesday) Today’s Gospel reading: 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.”
9/16/2026 (Wednesday) Today’s Gospel reflection / homily / sermon: Luke 7:31-35
In this Gospel passage, Jesus points out how people can be difficult to satisfy. When John the Baptist lived a life of fasting and discipline, some criticized him for being too strict. When Jesus came among ordinary people, sharing meals and reaching out to sinners, others criticized Him for being too open.
Let us remember the message throught the word WISDOM:
W — WELCOME THE DIFFERENCES
The lesson is powerful: sometimes, people criticize not because something is wrong, but because it does not fit what they expect.
Wisdom teaches us to welcome differences. God does not always work according to our preferred style, timing, or expectations. Sometimes His presence comes through silence; sometimes through celebration. Sometimes through a person who challenges us; sometimes through someone who comforts us.
I — IGNORE UNFAIR JUDGMENTS
Jesus reminds us that there will always be people who find something wrong with what we do. If we constantly live according to other people’s opinions, we may lose the courage to live according to God’s purpose.
There are people who will misunderstand our intentions, question our decisions, or judge us based on incomplete information. We cannot control every opinion, but we can control our response.
Wisdom does not mean answering every accusation. Sometimes the wisest response is to remain peaceful and allow our life to speak for itself.
S — SEE BEYOND APPEARANCES
People often judge what they can see without understanding what lies beneath.
A quiet person may be fighting a great battle. A cheerful person may be carrying hidden pain. Someone who appears successful may feel empty inside. Someone who seems ordinary may be doing extraordinary things for others.
Wisdom allows us to look deeper.
Before judging someone, pause. Before labeling someone, listen. Before rejecting someone’s way of doing things, try to understand the heart behind it.
God sees what human eyes cannot see.
D — DISCERN GOD’S WORK
One of the greatest forms of wisdom is discernment, the ability to recognize God’s work even when it appears differently from what we expected.
God may use a difficult experience to strengthen us, a disappointment to redirect us, or an unexpected person to teach us something important.
Not every closed door is a rejection. Not every delay is a denial. Not every uncomfortable moment is a punishment.
Sometimes God is doing something we cannot yet understand.
Wisdom says, “Let me look again. Perhaps there is something God wants me to learn.”
O — OPEN YOUR HEART
The people in Jesus’ time had already formed opinions about how God’s messenger should behave. Their expectations became barriers to recognizing what God was actually doing.
We can make the same mistake.
When our minds are already made up, we may become blind to new possibilities. We may hear only what confirms our opinions and reject anything that challenges them.
A wise heart remains teachable.
Stay open to correction. Stay open to new experiences. Stay open to people who are different from you. Most importantly, stay open to God.
M — MOVE FROM CRITICISM TO ACTION
Jesus’ message ultimately challenges us to become people who do more than talk, judge, and complain.
It is easy to criticize. It is harder to understand. It is easy to point out weaknesses. It is harder to help someone overcome them. It is easy to complain about darkness. It is harder to become a light.
True wisdom produces action.
If we see someone struggling, help. If someone is lonely, reach out. If someone has made a mistake, offer understanding. If we recognize an opportunity to do good, do not wait for someone else.
Wisdom is not simply knowing what is right. Wisdom is having the courage to live what we know.
Jesus invites us to examine our own hearts. Are we too quick to criticize? Are our expectations preventing us from recognizing God’s presence? Are we listening only to voices that agree with us?
May God give us the WISDOM to welcome differences, ignore unfair judgments, see beyond appearances, discern His work, open our hearts, and move from criticism to action.
Because sometimes, the greatest evidence of wisdom is not how much we know, but how faithfully we live, how generously we love, and how humbly we recognize God at work around us.
Go here to read further Gospel reflection.
