Friday of the Second Week of Advent

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.”


What is our calling in life if not to love God in all that we do? Often times I find myself searching for Christ in my life. It's easy to overlook Him, and good people in general. We are called by Jesus to be drawn into relationship with, are we not? The first step to that is to be aware! It's simple, I know, but how often do we dismiss those around us who are humble as "too good"? Or, especially in this day and age, how often do we judge those who we might see as "unworthy"? Actually, it's even easier to look at someone who does not fulfill our expectations of what a Christian should be and ignore what he or she may stand for. Where do we, as people seeking to live and walk with Christ, fall into place in this crazy world?

As a Catholic, I am always a fan of looking to those who have gone before me for examples of how I should live my life. Here in the Gospel, John the Baptist is considered crazy for being too austere while Jesus is called a partier for hanging out with the less desirable people in society. Many people consider that the life of the monk may be the holiest and best way to live.While other people (my family members included) who see extreme piety and say that the monks cannot truly know the world. The typical understanding of this world is in order to fully understand the problems in society, you must experience them. In contrast, the life a socialite can be just as dismissed even easier by the "holier-than-thou" types. Though, from the outside someone who is continually around partiers may be considered one, it is easy to miss the great ministerial opportunities that are created in that atmosphere. Both lifestyles have their positive and negative points, but which is the right way to live? The simple answer is that we need to love God in the way that is unique to us.

I struggle to find myself in this world where we are called to be "in the world, but not of it." I don't want to seem crazy for following God, or doing what God asks me to do. In the same way, I so deeply desire to bring others nearer to Christ that I need to be understanding and aware of how this world works. It's a fine line that we Christians walk. So, how is it that we are to find the right road to walk to God? Consider this:
How are you called to follow God's call?
What keeps us from answering that call?
Is it you and your own prejudices?
Or, do you sway with your concerns and fears?
If you are concerned with whether you are on the right path, I was given wise advice by a Jesuit Brother once. He told me (and others) that, "shit rolls downhill." Now, that may seem funny at first, but think about it.

Let us offer up ourselves to God in this season that we may renew our understanding of who God is calling us to be, and how He is allowing us to be open for others.

reflected by Matthew Keppel