On this Sunday (08/20/23), the First Sunday of the blessed month of Thoout, the Church reads Luke 7:28-35. In this reading, Christ gives testimony to the crowds in response to a question posed by John the Baptist earlier in (Luke 7:20) “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another”. In Luke 7:28, Christ says, “ I tell you, among those born of women none is greater than John”. This statement highlights the significance of John’s role in preparing the way for Jesus. It also underscores the idea that John was a pivotal figure in the history of salvation. John the Baptist also knew that Christ was the Savior that was prophesied about and believed in Him. St. Ambrose states, “Even though John is greater than those with whom he was an equal “as being born by women”; yet the nature of the Lord Christ is different and is incomparable to any human birth; Man could never be compared to God.”
The Lord then spoke about the people of this generation and said “They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another, ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not weep’”(Luke 7:31-32). In these verses, Jesus illustrates the fickle nature of some people’s reactions. Just as children can’t agree on whether to dance or mourn, people of Jesus’ generation found fault both with John’s ascetic lifestyle and His own more sociable approach, “For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and drinking no wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ (Luke 7:33-34).
Jesus concludes by saying, “Yet wisdom is justified by all her children” (Luke 7:35). This suggests that the rightness of God’s ways will ultimately be confirmed by the results, by the lives and actions of those who follow Him. Regardless of how people perceive or react to God’s messengers, the ultimate outcome of God’s wisdom is evident in the lives of those who embrace it. As St. Augustine said, “When He says, wisdom is justified of all her children, He show that the children of wisdom understand that righteousness consists neither in abstaining from nor eating food, but patiently enduring want (deficiency)”. (Patristic Bible Commentary)
Let us take refuge and align our lives with God’s wisdom, which is found in His teachings and principles. Let us also seek a deeper understanding of God’s ways, knowing that the outcome will ultimately vindicate the wisdom of God become firm in the faith, and obtain the virtues to allow us to serve and support others in their path to the Wisdom.
Sources:
- Bible, English Standard Version: Luke 7:28-35
- Commentaries on the Gospel of St. Luke by Father Tadros Malaty
- Patristic Bible Commentary