Matthew 11:16-19 NRSVue

¹⁶“But to what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to one another,

¹⁷‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn.’

¹⁸“For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon’; ¹⁹the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.”^,

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Some thoughts on this scripture

Reflection
The children playing in the marketplace might have seemed a trivial distraction to many but to Jesus they offered an image of life. Perhaps I can take time to notice the small things in my life - the incidental happenings - and listen to what God may be saying to me in them.

Reflection
Jesus knew that he could not please all of the people around him. He remained true to his vision and truth. I pray that I may not be distracted from following Jesus by trying to win the approval of others.

Reflection
Can I hear the frustration of Jesus in this scene? (Do I need to slow down and really listen to him?) It seems as if his life, which is meant to reveal the very essence of God, is being misunderstood and misrepresented.

Reflection
What about me? Do I misunderstand or misrepresent? Do I minimise or play down the significance of Jesus?

Reflection
Can I catch the frustration and urgency of God, desiring to be heard? By me.

Reflection
Who are the commentators in our marketplace? They are what we call the media – always coming up with a story, usually a complaint or criticism. Journalists, whether in print or TV, want to be noticed and listened to, but we can actually live without them.