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.”
I attended a Peter, Paul and Mary concert in 1995. “The sixties” were long over by then, of course, but some of us old folks still loved the old songs and the spirit of former days. Who better to represent that age than PPM? As the sun sank in the west, with a touch of autumn in the air, thousands of people settled on the vast lawn to listen and enjoy.
Several feet in front of my group were three young women who had heard of the sixties but could not have been there. They were immediately thrilled by the music and began to sing, clap their hands and sway to the music. They urged others around them to get with it, and to join in their excitement. But nobody did. Their enthusiasm, it seemed, was premature.
Later in the evening, after the sunset and in tune with the entertainers, the Boomers stirred out of our mellow reminiscing to sing, link arms, sway and dance; and to feel the Sixties Revolution once again moving our hearts with old convictions. By then the three young women were asleep, or bored. They had peaked too soon.
In today’s gospel Jesus complains about “this generation.” They can’t seem to catch the right spirit of the right moment. They missed the opportunity to repent with John the Baptist; and now they cannot fall in step with Jesus’ advance to Jerusalem. They neither dance to the flute nor mourn with a dirge.
We are rapidly approaching the latter half of Advent. It’s very short this year. During the first fifteen days the scriptures have instructed us in the way of penance. On Monday the lectionary will begin a series of readings from the infancy narratives of Matthew and Luke; and the mood will shift from atonement to anticipation.
Prepared by our penance, we’re ready to be swept into the Season of Christmas.
Prepared by our penance, we’re ready to be swept into the Season of Christmas.
No comments:
Post a Comment
I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.