Advent Reflection: Friday, December 10
12/10/2021
As Saint Louis University embraces the holiday season, students, faculty and staff members were asked to share reflections on selected readings. Today Andrew Ficken, Sacristan for the Department of Campus Ministry, reflects on Gospel, Matthew 11:16-19.
Reading for Friday, Dec. 10, 2021
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.”
Reflection
In the Gospel we see a common element within the life of Jesus, and that is ministry with those seen as the lowest in society. This is something that God calls each of us to do in our daily lives, but can be quite challenging. In each situation that is described, we see a similar theme. We see that the ending was not as expected from a quick first glance.
This can lead us to see the example that God sets out for us as a bit depressing. I challenge everyone to find the joy that is seen in the last line of the Gospel. That even though we, like Jesus, can be seen as less for ministering to those in society that most would just ignore, we will obtain virtue from God.
This is what allows us to live a good life that is full of self-fulfillment, and a rich understanding of what it means to be people of God.
-- Andrew Ficken, Sacristan for the Department of Campus Ministry
Newslink will be running select reflections through Advent. All the reflections can be found on the Mission and Identity Facebook page.