God only wants what is best for us. We see this in today’s first reading from Isaiah 48. “I, the Lord, you God, teach you what is for your good, and lead you on the way you should go.” God has given us the Church, to teach us truth, and to point us in the right direction. Do we always follow the instructions? Well…it reminds me of the old adage, “You can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make him drink.” God must feel the same way about us. You can lead a Christian to the right path, but you can’t make them walk down it.
Today’s Gospel passage is a study in the old, “You just can’t please some people” school. Jesus speaks of “this generation” and how nothing seemed to make them happy. “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.’ ” Well…what do you want?!
Ever run into someone with that attitude? I have, especially about the Church. They complain about one thing and then, when they find out their assumptions were false, they find something else to grouse about. It’s true. You just can’t please some people. When this happens, often times it is necessary to just cut ties with them. Speak the truth in love, try again, and if they just can’t accept it, say a prayer and “shake the dust from your feet.” But don’t ever stop praying for them.
Father, help us to realize that we just can’t please everyone. Show us how to share truth in love, and keep us ever vigilant in prayer. Amen.
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