Wisdom is justified by all her children

 

 Then the disciples of John reported to him concerning all these things.  And John, calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to Jesus, saying, "Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?"  When the men had come to Him, they said, "John the Baptist has sent us to You, saying, 'Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?'"  And that very hour He cured many of infirmities, afflictions, and evil spirits; and to many blind He gave sight.  Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard:  that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them.  And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me."  

 

When the messengers of John had departed, He began to speak to the multitudes concerning John:  "What did you go out into the wilderness to see?  A reed shaken by the wind?  But what did you go out to see?  A man clothed in soft garments?  Indeed those who are gorgeously appareled and live in luxury are in kings' courts.   But what did you go out to see?  A prophet?  Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.  This is he of whom it is written:

'Behold, I send My messenger before Your face,

Who will prepare Your way before You.'

"For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet  than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he."  And when all the people heard Him, even the tax collectors justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John.  But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the will of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him. 

 

And the Lord said, "To what then shall I liken the men of this generation, and what are they like?  They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another, saying:

'We played the flute for you,

And you did not dance;

We mourned to you,

And you did not weep.'  

"For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, 'He has a demon.'  The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, 'Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!'  But wisdom is justified by all her children." 

 

- Luke 7:18-35 

 

Yesterday we read that when Jesus concluded all His sayings of the Sermon on the Plain in the hearing of the people, He entered Capernaum.  And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die.  So when he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant.  And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving "for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue."  Ten Jesus went with them.  And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, "Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof.  Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You.  But say the word, and my servant will be healed.  For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me.  And I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."  When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, "I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!"  And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick.  Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd.  And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow.  And a large crowd from the city was with her.   When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, "Do not weep."  Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still.  And He said, "Young man, I say to you, arise."  So he who was dead sat up and began to speak.  And He presented him to his mother.  Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has risen up among us"; and, "God has visited His people."  And this report about Him went throughout all Judea and all the surrounding region. 

 

  Then the disciples of John reported to him concerning all these things.  And John, calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to Jesus, saying, "Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?"  When the men had come to Him, they said, "John the Baptist has sent us to You, saying, 'Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?'"  And that very hour He cured many of infirmities, afflictions, and evil spirits; and to many blind He gave sight.  Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard:  that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them.  And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me."  The Orthodox Study Bible comments here that St. John the Baptist was imprisoned soon after the Baptism of Jesus (Mark 1:14).  Though John had directed his disciples to follow Christ (John 1:29-31, 35-37), there were still those who remained with him.  While John's own faith was undoubtedly strengthened by the signs Christ performed, the Fathers universally see this encounter as a means John used to convince his remaining disciples that Jesus was truly the Coming One.  

 

When the messengers of John had departed, He began to speak to the multitudes concerning John:  "What did you go out into the wilderness to see?  A reed shaken by the wind?  But what did you go out to see?  A man clothed in soft garments?  Indeed those who are gorgeously appareled and live in luxury are in kings' courts.   But what did you go out to see?  A prophet?  Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.  This is he of whom it is written:  'Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way before You.'  For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet  than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he."  And when all the people heard Him, even the tax collectors justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John.  But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the will of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.  The Study Bible explains that, although St. John the Baptist was the greatest prophet (as Jesus declares here), his earthly life and ministry remained in the period of the old covenant.  The new covenant so far surpasses the old that the least in the kingdom is greater than the greatest outside it.  This is not meant to imply that St. John will not be resurrected to the Kingdom; it merely teaches that his life on earth came before something far superior.  Note that Jesus here indicates that the ministry of St. John the Baptist fulfilled the prophesy found at Malachi 3:1.  Regarding the Pharisees and lawyers, the Study Bible directs us to Mark 11:27-33.  

 

And the Lord said, "To what then shall I liken the men of this generation, and what are they like?  They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another, saying:  'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we mourned to you, and you did not weep.'  For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, 'He has a demon.'  The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, 'Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!'  But wisdom is justified by all her children."  The Orthodox Study Bible explains Jesus' comparison here to children.  This is a reference to a children's game, which was played by dividing into two groups.  One group would mimic musicians, and then the other would refuse to respond appropriately to the type of music being played -- either festive songs for dance, or those for lamentation.  The Study Bible comments that the Pharisees were so rigid in their religion that they were not able to respond and engage the world around them.  So, therefore, they rejected John as being too mournful and ascetic, while they condemned Christ as being too merciful and joyous.  But, in spite of both being rejected by the Pharisees, John and Christ are justified, not by the opinions of other people, but by their children.  That is, by those who would come to believe and be faithful.  

 

There are aspects of today's reading that suggest elements touched upon in Jesus' Sermon on the Plain (Luke 6:20-49).   In particular, we're put in mind of Christ's teaching that a tree is known by its fruit (Luke 6:43-45).  This is an important teaching that will be repeated throughout the Gospels, and indeed, even in the Epistles and Revelation, which together form the entire New Testament.  That theme is the concern with distinguishing the false from the true, a particularly difficult problem when one considers that, indeed, the false will mimic the true, and often appear to be entirely in keeping with what is genuine.  Moreover, that need for understanding is given to us in the complexity in today's reading involving the differences between Jesus and St. John the Baptist and their respective ministries.  As Jesus says Himself,  in making His critique regarding the bad judgment of "the men of this generation," "They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another, saying:  'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we mourned to you, and you did not weep.'  For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, 'He has a demon.'  The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, 'Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!'"  Jesus Himself acknowledges the differences in appearance of St. John the Baptist's ministry and His own:  John was particularly ascetic, following strict rules of the spiritual discipline associated with the Nazirites.  On the other hand, Jesus was known to eat dinner at the homes of tax collectors, and wine was a part of His fellowship at meals, which we can read repeatedly in the Gospels.  As Jesus said Himself, His disciples would fast when He was gone, but wine is for the wedding feast, and the Bridegroom (Himself) was with them.  Judging purely by appearances, without spiritual insight or discernment, one could easily miss that John was preparing the way for the ministry of Jesus.  But what the Lord tells us, in fact, is that each is justified by their children, meaning, according to the Study Bible, those who would follow in faith justify the wisdom common to both.  In this sense, "children" are like the fruits of the tree that teach us whether the tree is bad or good, and so the teachings of Christ have this common thread of understanding.  Moreover, in this light we should consider Christ's parable of the wheat and the weeds (Matthew 13:24-30).  In the parable, those weeds (called "tares") closely resemble wheat, but they are inedible, difficult to digest.  They are not good for human consumption.  So it is with heresies, which, in the history of the Church, have been seen to be symbolized in that parable.  For often, heresies resemble truth in one aspect or another, but they are false and mislead human beings; in this sense, they are not fit for our consumption.  So, therefore the Church has practiced its discernment through Councils convened specifically to identify such heresies.  Returning to the context of Christ's teaching on the fruits of the tree, in the Sermon on the Mount Jesus has added the image of wolves in sheep's clothing to describe false prophets who lead people astray, those who come claiming to follow Christ but who do not really care for His flock (Matthew 7:15).  So, repeatedly, we are called to discernment, to distinguish the counterfeit from what is genuine.  The Pharisees and other religious leaders often show themselves and their own hypocrisy, which goes hand in hand with their own poor leadership, as well as their lack of true discernment.  For in their rush to condemn others, they themselves misjudge; as they look for something by which they can accuse, they repeatedly make false accusations.  Here Jesus suggests they do so for both St. John the Baptist and Himself.  So let us take Christ's warnings seriously, and consider in our own times how desperately we, also, need to learn to distinguish God's truth from misleading imitation.  Our own vigilance and watchfulness is required of us just as much as it ever was, for this was part of the instruction He has left to us.  In a modern age of communications and constant new innovations for imitation, perhaps we need to practice Christ's means of discernment more than ever.  In this context, His commands remain to serve us well, focusing on our own spiritual growth and correction, our prayers, our humility, our capacity for the love of God and God's truth.  In and out of the Church, we need ears to hear and eyes to see, the discipleship He teaches as did the saints and faithful who followed.  Let us be attentive.

But wisdom is justified by her children

 

"But to what shall I liken this generation?  It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their companions, and saying:

'We played the flute for you,

And you did not dance;

We mourned to you,

And you did not lament.'

"For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.'  The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!'  But wisdom is justified by her children."

Then He began to rebuke the cities in which most of His mighty works had been done, because they did not repent:  "Woe to you, Chorazin!  woe to you, Bethsaida!  For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.  But I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you.  And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades; for if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.  But I say to you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you."

 

- Matthew 11:16-24 

 

Yesterday we read that, as the disciples of John the Baptist departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John:  "What did you go out into the wilderness to see?  A reed shaken by the wind?  But what did you go out to see?  A man clothed in soft garments?  Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses.  But what did you go out to see?  A prophet?  Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.  For this is he of whom it is written:  'Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way before You.' Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.  And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.  For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.  And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come.  He who has ears to hear, let him hear!"   

 

 "But to what shall I liken this generation?  It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their companions, and saying: 'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; We mourned to you, and you did not lament.' For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.'  The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!'  But wisdom is justified by her children."  Jesus here refers to a game which was played among Jewish children.  Perhaps the words are a singsong that accompanied the game.  The children would divide into two groups; one would pretend to play musical instruments or to sing, and the other group would respond in a manner opposite to what was expected.  So here Jesus draws a parallel to the Jewish leaders who responded in deliberate opposition both to John the Baptist as being too ascetic and to Christ as too liberal in mercy and joy.  When Jesus says that "wisdom is justified by her children," He seems to be referring to the fact that as different as the ministries of John the Baptist and Jesus seem to be, they are both products of holy wisdom, and their spiritual fruits vindicate them.

 

 Then He began to rebuke the cities in which most of His mighty works had been done, because they did not repent:  "Woe to you, Chorazin!  woe to you, Bethsaida!  For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.  But I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you.  And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades; for if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.  But I say to you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you."  These are the Galilean cities in which Jesus had done great healings and exorcisms (mighty works) and so they are witness to the holy power at work in His ministry.  My study Bible comments that it is a far greater sin to have seen Christ's works and rejected Him than never to have known Him at all.

Jesus' reference to the children's game teaches us something about the attitude of the critics of both Jesus' and John the Baptist's ministries.  There are those who simply will find fault because they don't want to hear or receive the message that is being preached.  The criticism is erratic and it doesn't make sense -- and it's also immature and childish.  But as Jesus takes on His own criticism of the cities which have rejected Him and His ministry, the tone becomes more serious.  Because, in fact, they aren't simply rejecting His words and teaching, but the actual works -- the spiritual fruits -- that manifest the truth of who He is and what He has to teach, His word.  As my study Bible says, to have seen Christ's works and rejected Him is far more serious than never to have known Him at all.  At the end of yesterday's reading, Jesus called out, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear!"  Here there is a reflection of an idea that is similar to this, as Jesus is asking for spiritual ears that can hear the spiritual messages brought to the people through the work of the Spirit.  Those who saw His mighty works and still rejected Him haven't got spiritual eyes to see.  They don't understand the power of judgment that is inherent in anything with which God may bless and reveal truth to us.  For to reject such efforts is to reject God, and to reject God is to reject life, and all the blessings that includes for us.  We depend upon God for our being, and all that is true, or good, or beautiful.  What is rejected, then, is that substance that is manifest in the works, the reality of the holy power that  is unchanging, and not simply temporal.  Jesus is not performing magic tricks, or spiritual feats to impress people.  His entire Incarnation in the world is God reaching toward us, bringing salvation for those who can receive it, and truly "see" and "hear" it.  In the first letter to the Corinthians, St. Paul speaks of maturing in a spiritual sense:  "When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.  And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love" (1 Corinthians 13:12-13).  He is speaking here about growth in spiritual maturity and understanding, and let us note the metaphors to sight.  His aspiration is for more understanding, to "know just as I also am known" [by God].  This is what Christ asks us for, this spiritual journey, where spiritual sight and hearing are cherished, sought, and known -- as well as the growth toward greater maturity that St. Paul writes about.  Let us especially note the final line.  Where is faith, hope, and love in the self-serving cynicism of the religious leaders?   Love is also known as "charity" in our traditional language of the King James Bible.  Where is the charity in hearts that are so hard they do not even receive the great healings of human beings they have seen?  Let us remember these words and this teaching, for it is our lack of charity and love that blinds us to such great things we are rejecting -- and the depth of loss that creates for us.

 

 

 

Wisdom is justifed by all her children

 

 Then the disciples of John reported to him concerning all these things.  And John, calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to Jesus, saying, "Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?"  When the men had come to Him, they said, "John the Baptist has sent us to You, saying, 'Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?'"  And that very hour He cured many of infirmities, afflictions, and evil spirits; and to many blind He gave sight.  Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard:  that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them.  And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me."  

 

When the messengers of John had departed, He began to speak to the multitudes concerning John:  "What did you go out into the wilderness to see?  A reed shaken by the wind?  But what did you go out to see?  A man clothed in soft garments?  Indeed those who are gorgeously appareled and live in luxury are in kings' courts.  But what did you go out to see?  A prophet?  Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.  This is he of whom it is written:

'Behold, I send My messenger before Your face,

Who will prepare Your way before You.'

"For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he."  

And when all the people heard Him, even the tax collectors justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John.  But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the will of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.  And the Lord said, "To what then shall I liken the men of this generation, and what are they like?  They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another, saying:

'We played the flute for you,

And you did not dance;

We mourned to you,

And you did not weep.'

"For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, 'He has a demon.'  The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, 'Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!'  But wisdom is justified by all her children."

 

- Luke 7:18–35 

 

Yesterday we read that when Jesus concluded His Sermon on the Plain the hearing of the people, He entered Capernaum.  And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die.  So when he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant.  And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving, "for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue."  Then Jesus went with them.  And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, "Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof.  Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You.  But say the word, and my servant will be healed.  For I am also a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me.  And I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."  When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, "I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!"  And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick.  Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd.  And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow.  And a large crowd from the city was with her.  When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, "Do not weep."  Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still.  And He said, "Young man, I say to you, arise."  So he who was dead sat up and began to speak.  And he presented him to his mother.  Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has risen up among us"; and, "God has visited His people."  And this report about Him went throughout all Judea and all the surrounding region.

 

  Then the disciples of John reported to him concerning all these things.  And John, calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to Jesus, saying, "Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?"  When the men had come to Him, they said, "John the Baptist has sent us to You, saying, 'Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?'"  And that very hour He cured many of infirmities, afflictions, and evil spirits; and to many blind He gave sight.  Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard:  that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them.  And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me."  My study bible tells us that John the Baptist was imprisoned soon after Jesus was baptized (Mark 1:14).  Although John had directed his disciples to follow Christ (John 1:29-31, 35-37), some remained with him.  While John's own faith was undoubtedly strengthened by the signs Christ performed, the Fathers universally see this particular encounter as a means John used to convince his remaining disciples that Jesus was indeed the Coming One.  

When the messengers of John had departed, He began to speak to the multitudes concerning John:  "What did you go out into the wilderness to see?  A reed shaken by the wind?  But what did you go out to see?  A man clothed in soft garments?  Indeed those who are gorgeously appareled and live in luxury are in kings' courts.  But what did you go out to see?  A prophet?  Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.  This is he of whom it is written:  'Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way before You.'  For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he."   My study bible remarks here that although John was the greatest prophet, his earthly life and ministry remained in the period of the old covenant.  It says that the new covenant so far surpasses the old that the least in the kingdom is greater than the greater outside of it.  This doesn't imply that John will not be resurrected to the Kingdom, but simply that his life on earth came before something far superior.

And when all the people heard Him, even the tax collectors justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John.  But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the will of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.  See Mark 11:27-33, in which Jesus tests the Pharisees and lawyers regarding the authority of the baptism of John.

And the Lord said, "To what then shall I liken the men of this generation, and what are they like?  They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another, saying:  'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;  we mourned to you, and you did not weep.'  For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, 'He has a demon.'  The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, 'Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!'"  Jesus compares the Pharisees and lawyers to children playing a common game in the marketplace.  The children would play this game in two groups.  One group would mimic musicians, either playing music for dancing or lamentations for mourning.  The other group would refuse to respond properly to the music being played.  My study bible comments that the Pharisees were so rigid in their religion that they were unable to respond to and engage the world around them.  So, like the children complaining to their playmates, they condemned John as being too mournful and ascetic, and Christ as being too merciful and joyous.

.

"But wisdom is justified by all her children."  My study bible comments that, in spite of being rejected by the Pharisees, both John and Christ are justified, not by the opinions of men, but by their children, those who would come to believe and be faithful.  

Jesus says, "But wisdom is justified by all her children."  My study bible points out that this expression describes those who would come to believe and be faithful through the ministries of Jesus and of John the Baptist.  Of course that is correct, we can see the outcome of the faithful in those who first follow John and prepare for Christ.  But we can also think of children in yet another metaphorical way, and that would be in a way similar to the way we think of fruits or fruitfulness.  The "children of wisdom" can be all those things that are the products of saintly lives, the outcomes unseen and yet extending so far into history that they continue to have repercussions and make waves around us even now, 2,000 years later.  As each of us reads the Gospel, and the stories of the highly ascetic John, and of Jesus who celebrates in joy with His disciples (including tax collectors), so in our own lives the ripples of the wisdom through these very different men make a difference to us.  They teach us.  In this way, they continue to produce "children."  They influence us.  They cause us to reflect on our own lives.  Even their very unique individualism -- that is, their basic human personae magnified through the presence of God (and in Jesus' case, obviously, this is of an entirely different order than any other human being) -- call us to consider how every saint embodies wisdom somehow in a mysterious synergy with God that magnifies persona, stretches and purifies whatever that person brings to the table or starts with in their lives, to create in them another "child of wisdom."  So, every saint might be considered another child of wisdom, a product of faith and the knowledge of God.  Jesus does us all a tremendous favor by likening the contrast between Himself and John the Baptist, and the varied complaints about them from the religious leadership, to the children playing games -- who both complain that their fellows are on the one hand too somber and serious, and on the other too joyful.  Because in this powerful statement and image, Jesus is giving us an understanding that God works through all.  It doesn't matter the form one comes in, the baggage from home, the way we're born, our quirks or what we consider our failures, our talents, our character:  each individual dynamic effect will be made part of that "child of wisdom" God will make through the mysterious working of faith, prayer, participation in the life of Christ and therefore the wisdom of God.  That outcome that justifies wisdom (in Jesus' words) is not predicted by us, not put together in some abstract form of what we think saintliness is like, but is a product of the completely immeasurable and unpredictable life of God as God works through us.  This will always break our boundaries and expectations because God has a purview that is so far beyond ours.  God has a perspective and plan that is something we can't possibly contain, so we may only find out later what possibilities are developed through our faith life, and the outworkings of God in us.  Just as Jesus and John the Baptist continue to produce children and fruits of faith and wisdom, so we may also enter into that long stream of faithful spiritual children, who go on in turn to influence and possibly illumine others by carrying and reflecting the light of Christ (Matthew 5:14-16).  But the great power of God, far beyond our ability to categorize and dictate, is simply that wisdom is justified by all her children.  That is, all her children, no matter how varied, different, separated by place and time or temperament and training.  We all have this capacity to be children of wisdom.  Let us look to Christ to fashion us in His faith, for He is ultimately the true Holy Wisdom, who fashions so many varied multitudes into one body in His Kingdom of many mansions.  To be capable of embracing the great variety of saints, and the varied ways of Christ, is just one more aspect of how each is blessed "who is not offended because of Me."

Wisdom is justified by all her children

 Then the disciples of John reported to him concerning all these things.  And John, calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to Jesus, saying, "Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?"  When the men had come to Him, they said, "John the Baptist has sent us to You, saying, 'Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?'"  And that very hour He cured many of their infirmities, afflictions, and evil spirits; and to many blind He gave sight.  Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard:  that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them.  And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me."

When the messengers of John had departed, He began to speak to the multitudes concerning John:  "What did you go out into the wilderness to see?  A reed shaken by the wind?  But what did you go out to see?  A man clothed in soft garments?  Indeed those who are gorgeously appareled and live in luxury are in kings' courts.  But what did you go out to see?  A prophet?  Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.  This is he of whom it is written:

'Behold, I send My messenger before Your face,
Who will prepare Your way before You.'

For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he."

And when all the people heard Him, even the tax collectors justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John.  But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the will of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.

And the Lord said, "To what then shall I liken the men of this generation, and what are they like?  They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another, saying:

'We played the flute for you,
And you did not dance;
We mourned to you,
And you did not weep.'

For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, 'He has a demon.'  The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, 'Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!'  But wisdom is justified by all her children."

- Luke 7:18-35

Yesterday we read that when Jesus concluded all His Sermon on the Plain in the hearing of the people (the readings from Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday), He entered Capernaum.  And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die.  So when he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant.  And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving, "for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue."  Then Jesus went with them.  And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, "Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof.  Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You.  But say the word, and my servant will be healed.  For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me.  And I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."  When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, "I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!"  And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick."  Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd.  And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow.  And a large crowd from the city was with her.  When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, "Do not weep."  Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still.  And He said, "Young man, I say to you, arise."  So he who was dead sat up and began to speak.  And He presented him to his mother.  Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has risen up among us"; and, "God has visited His people."  And this report about Him went throughout all Judea and all the surrounding region.

 Then the disciples of John reported to him concerning all these things.  And John, calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to Jesus, saying, "Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?"  When the men had come to Him, they said, "John the Baptist has sent us to You, saying, 'Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?'"  And that very hour He cured many of their infirmities, afflictions, and evil spirits; and to many blind He gave sight.  Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard:  that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them.  And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me."   John the Baptist was imprisoned shortly after Jesus was baptized (Mark 1:14).  Although John has directed his disciples to follow Christ (John 1:29-31, 35-37), there are those who have remained with him.  While John's own faith was no doubt strengthened by the signs that Jesus performed, says my study bible, the Fathers universally see this encounter as a means John used to convince his remaining disciples that Jesus was truly the Coming One.   The things Jesus names are those acts identified in the sayings of the prophets of Israel as those forms of grace which will characterize the time of the Messiah (see for example Isaiah 35, 61.

When the messengers of John had departed, He began to speak to the multitudes concerning John:  "What did you go out into the wilderness to see?  A reed shaken by the wind?  But what did you go out to see?  A man clothed in soft garments?  Indeed those who are gorgeously appareled and live in luxury are in kings' courts.  But what did you go out to see?  A prophet?  Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.  This is he of whom it is written:  'Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way before You.'  For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he."  Jesus quotes from Malachi 3:1, tying John as well into the eschatological news of this time of the coming of the Messiah, and the prophesies that foretold the time.  Although John was the greatest prophet, his earthly life and ministry remain in the period of the old covenant.  The new covenant so far surpasses the old that the least in the kingdom is greater than the greatest outside it.  This doesn't imply that John won't be resurrected to the Kingdom, but rather that his earthly life came before something much greater.  Jesus asks the crowd about John with words that hint at the false prophets of old, who lived in palaces in luxury and told kings what they wanted to hear.  "A reed shaken by the wind" is not a mighty prophet driven by the Holy Spirit, but rather a weak man submitting only to the whims of rulers.  The true prophets of Israel are those with whom John may be closely identified by his rigorous life outside of the society and his ascetic way of living, devoted fully to serving God.

And when all the people heard Him, even the tax collectors justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John.  But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the will of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.   The text gives us the paradox of faith, the importance of choice, repentance, and the inner heart -- and the effectiveness of the ministry of preparation and baptism by John.  For comparison to these verses, see Mark 11:27-33.

And the Lord said, "To what then shall I liken the men of this generation, and what are they like?  They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another, saying:  'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;  We mourned to you, and you did not weep.'  For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, 'He has a demon.'  The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, 'Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!'"  Jesus refers to a popular game played by children.  The children would divide into two groups:  one group would mime musicians who would play music either for mourning or dancing.  The other group of children responded.  In Jesus' example, they refuse to respond appropriately to the type of music being played.  My study bible tells us that the Pharisees were so rigid in their religion that they were unable to respond and engage the world around them.  They rejected John, therefore, as being too mournful and ascetic, while Christ was rejected as too merciful and joyous.

"But wisdom is justified by all her children."  Although both John and Christ are rejected by the Pharisees, they are both justified, says my study bible -- not by the opinions of people, but rather by their children, those who would come to believe and be faithful.  Children are also an image of works.  This is an echo of Jesus' recent teaching in the Sermon on the Plain, that "every tree is known by its own fruit" (see Thursday's reading.)

Today's reading gives us the perspective of the paradox of holiness, in its juxtaposition of John the Baptist and Jesus.  One is rigorous and extremely ascetic, living in the wilderness, dependent only upon God.  But the other feasts with tax collectors and sinners.  How can they both be holy?  How can they both be holy men of God -- and Jesus even the Messiah?  But when Jesus teaches that wisdom is justified by all her children, then we come to understand a great truth, both about Scripture and the entire nature of holiness and the work of God in the world.  If we take a look at the saints, we see men and women who are anything but seamlessly identical.  Saints are those who in one way or another have distinctive and powerful personalities, even those known for their great humility, who withdrew into deserts not to be seen for decades, who lived for the simplest act of kindness.  Many of them had personalities that others would criticize as full of flaws; none are cookie-cutter perfect.  But wisdom is justified by all her children.  That is another way of saying that by their fruits you shall know them.  Saints are those through whom God works in the world, whose "yes" to God is perhaps most archetypally given in the words of the Theotokos, that is, literally, the God-bearer, the Virgin Mary, "Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word" (Luke 1:38).  Saints are those for whom everything in their lives is geared to hear God's word and to do it, whatever form that may take, however strange it may appear to others, for whom the reliance on God is all-important.   The Gospel teaches us that for each person, this holy road may appear quite different, even contradictory by worldly standards, but it is God's unfolding work in the world that is transcendent, and by whom all are justified.  The word "wisdom" is sophia in the Greek.  It is a feminine word in Greek.  But Wisdom is also the word for the Lord, for Christ Himself, the One who is incarnate as the human Jesus, but who speaks throughout Scripture.  Let us look, as Jesus teaches us, at all the children of wisdom scattered throughout Scripture and throughout history, and come to know their work, their participation in what He offers to us, and join in on that holy road -- His way.