R idiculous. Hilarious. Insane. But yes. People do persecute others for doing good things. Jesus heals a man and the scribes and Pharisees were enraged. But you know what? It’s still happening now.

Memorial of St. Cornelius and St. Cyprian

1 Timothy 3:14-16

Psalm 111:1-2, 3-4, 5-6

L uke 7:31-35 "To what then shall I compare the men of this generation, and what are they like? (32) They are like children sitting in the market place and calling to one another, `We piped to you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not weep.' (33) For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and drinking no wine; and you say, `He has a demon.' (34) The Son of man has come eating and drinking; and you say, `Behold, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' (35) Yet wisdom is justified by all her children."

Meditation by Patrick Borchers

I was struck by the sense of longing in the readings for today.  In the first reading, Paul is writing to Timothy – Paul’s great friend, sometime emissary and devoted convert – saying that he hopes to visit him soon, but that if Paul is delayed to take comfort in the good works they are doing together.  In the second reading, Jesus seems almost wistful as he notes the rejection that both he and John the Baptist faced, but ends with the striking line:  “But wisdom is vindicated by all her children.”

As I read the readings, I can’t help but think of the mix of emotions that I face this time of year, and especially this year.  Two our children are out of the house but live in Omaha, our third is living with us as he goes to graduate school, we moved our fourth into the dormitories as a college freshman this year and our youngest is starting fourth grade.  I think we are, particularly by modern standards, a close family, but as the years march by I feel the tug of the centrifugal forces that pull us apart.  Children grow and move on as they should to become their own people and we hope they serve God and their fellow human beings.  I have many friends who look forward to their children moving out and having more time to themselves or to pursue other things, but I confess to not being one of those people.  It’s not that I don’t want my children to grow up – I do.  But I want to hold that bond with them even across distance and time and the strain of generational differences.

I think it’s that sense that I get from the readings today.  Both Paul and Jesus are acutely aware of the strains of earthly existence and the pressure it was putting on their relationships.   So they wrote and spoke about it to comfort their friends and perhaps even to comfort themselves.  And that’s what I try to do this time of year.  “But wisdom is vindicated by all her children.”  I hope that holds true for me.

Supplementary Reading

PERSECuTING THE GooD

. . . they became enraged and discussed together what they might do to Jesus. – Luke 6:11

R idiculous. Hilarious. Insane. But yes. People do persecute others for doing good things. Jesus heals a man and the scribes and Pharisees were enraged. Why? Because, they said, it was a Sabbath! Call it legalism. Call it pure envy. Call it “crab mentality.” But you know what? It’s still happening now.

A healing priest gives hope to thousands — and he is admonished for it and banned in some places. A community holds powerful worship services and inspiring talks — and is reprimanded for not giving “dues” to the “rightful authorities.” A charismatic group fires up the faith of parishioners but when a new priest comes in, he orders them to stop and move somewhere else.

Well, I understand that’s being careful and cautious. There are jurisdictions to observe and rules to follow. Otherwise, there will be chaos and disarray. But to do this to the detriment and loss of the faithful? To the dampening of the hearts, hopes and spirits of the people? To the “killing of the good ones” to prevent the “bad ones”?

How I wish Jesus Himself would come again and make all things new! But then, what’s the guarantee He too won’t be persecuted again? Alvin Barcelona

REFLECTION:

Are you being persecuted for doing good things? Cheer up! Jesus himself experienced the same. Don’t lose heart.

Lord, let me continue doing good things in Your name. Let me also allow and respect others to do the same for You. Amen.