Reflection - childish

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/092017.cfm
1 TM 3:14-16
LK 7:31-35

The observation that an adult or a group of adults is acting in a childish manner is not only common, it is all too frequently accurate as well. Growing up is hard to do; and even in our later years bad habits from childhood or thought patterns we have not totally discarded can creep in to our psyche and create an uncomfortable dissonance for both ourselves and others.

Without exception, parents understand what is meant by the "terrible twos" and they struggle with the necessity of "breaking the will but not the spirit." We identify spoiled children by their insistence on having their own way; and we identify adults who insist on having their own way as "spoiled children." The notion that the world is not fair is one that individuals must accept as fact if they expect to reach emotional and psychological maturity. And, while dreams may be pleasant, fantasy worlds are useful only as a form of temporary escape or as the medium for an author.

Jesus is never one to pull his punches in the face obstinate behavior; and this morning we hear him expressing his disgust at the response of some to his ministry. In this text, however, we hear something different than the usual exchange where pharisaic criticism receives from Jesus a correction of misunderstanding, or a challenge to rethink a judgement made. We hear Him offer (almost as an aside) his own critique of the behavior some from the Jewish leadership are demonstrating.

Jesus said to the crowds:

"To what shall I compare the people of this generation?

What are they like?

They are like children who sit in the marketplace and call to one another,

'We played the flute for you, but you did not dance.

We sang a dirge, but you did not weep.' 

I can easily picture the scene.

The crowds are attentive to the teaching which Jesus offers. But more than that, they seek to know and understand this man, this Rabbi, this prophet who has come into their midst. 

The Pharisees and other religious leaders watch from the sidelines. They listen with critical ears. They watch with jaundiced eyes. They do not enter the forum except to challenge and criticize. 

Disgusted with the elitist stance of those who hold themselves apart, Jesus proffered to the listening crowd a critique of his own. He compares their behavior to that of children, still in their 'terrible twos,' still spoiled by the abundance they have received, still unaccepting of the lack of fairness when this upstart receives more attention than they do, still living in a fantasy world concocted from the truths of the past and their own expectations of what should be.

My initial reading of the text had me wishing for an alternative selection for reflection. The point being made was too obvious. The scene fit into my well established image of the Jewish leadership. What more was there to say? But as I fleshed out the truth Jesus was teaching I began to wonder at its appropriateness for my own spiritual life. 

Jesus compares their behavior to that of children, still in their "terrible twos," still spoiled, still unaccepting of the lack of fairness, still living in a fantasy world. There is a reason why Jesus so adamantly associates truth and freedom. It is because honesty with ourselves about the reality of ourselves and the world we live in is the only thing that can save us from the persistent dis-satisfaction of spoiled, unaccepting, fantasizing children. 

Yet, we still seek the "if onlys" of men as a solution to human problems. We still prefer to save ourselves from the harshness of life. We still prefer a fantasy "happily ever after" Faith to the cross of Jesus. 

The problem of those Jewish leaders was in their own achievements. From that pinnacle they could not do what those in the crowd could do.  

They could not listen with attention to the teaching which Jesus offered because they knew it all. But more than that, they could not surrender themselves to seek to know and understand this man, this Rabbi, this prophet who had come into their midst.