Matthew 11:16-19

Isaiah 48:17-19

Psalm 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6

Matthew 11:16-19

Jesus said to the 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.”

Opening Prayer: Lord God, help me to listen to the songs of your prophet, John, and your Son, Jesus. I want to know when and how to mourn with sorrow. I want to know when and how to dance with joy. Your grace has truly turned my sorrow into joy.

Encountering the Word of God

1. What Has Isaiah Taught Us? During the first two weeks of Advent, we have read daily from the prophet Isaiah. Today is the last day of our sequential reading of the prophet. And so, it is good to ask ourselves, “What has Isaiah taught us during these first two weeks of Advent?” Isaiah spoke to the people of Jerusalem, condemned sinful ways, called the people to repentance, and comforted them by promising salvation. Have I been cut to the heart this Advent? Have I repented from my sins? Have I found comfort in the merciful arms of my Lord? How am I responding to Jesus?

2. John’s Funeral Song: In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus speaks about the failure of Israel to respond to both John and himself: “The call to repentance went out to many (Matthew 3:2; 4:17), but only a few took it to heart” (Mitch and Sri, The Gospel of Matthew, 156). For this reason, Jesus calls out their generation as unfaithful. They heard the funeral dirge of John and were not moved to mourn in the sense of beating one’s breast. John led by example, practiced asceticism, fasted in the desert, and encouraged his disciples to do the same (Matthew 9:14). Instead of listening to John and preparing themselves to meet the Lord’s Messiah, they criticized John, found fault with him, and accused him of demonic possession. They did the same to Jesus, criticizing him for associating with sinners and for violating the Sabbath rest and accusing him of working in league with the devil.

3. Jesus’ Wedding Song: Jesus identifies himself as the Son of Man, who plays the flute. He calls the people to dance with a wedding song. He is the long-awaited Bridegroom promised by the prophets of Israel. His disciples cannot fast while the Bridegroom is present: “Can the sons of the bridechamber mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast” (Matthew 9:14). We learn, then, that, in our Christian life, there are times for wedding feasting and funeral fasting. We have the bridegroom mysteriously among us through grace and the sacraments, and yet he has also been taken away. Our mourning on account of our sin and our joy on account of God’s mercy both need the assistance of divine grace to bear lasting spiritual fruit. 

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, I have heard your song in the marketplace. It is a beautiful song of joy, and I want to learn it and sing it every day of my life. You are my Beloved, and I will strive to follow you faithfully.

Living the Word of God: Is my life characterized by a balance of sorrow and joy? Do I practice fasting and self-denial? Do I rejoice in God’s mercy and proclaim his marvelous deeds?