Children at the Market Place

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : Twenty Fourth Week:  Wednesday*

*Gospel :  Luke 7:31-35*

*First Reading : 1 Cor 12:31-13:13*

*Responsorial Psalm : 33: 2-22*

*Children at the Market Place*

*1) The Image of Children at the Market Place*

Jesus says: “To what then will I compare the people of this generation? And what are they like? They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another…” (Lk 7:31–32)

The marketplace was a public, busy place where people met, traded, talked and observed one another. Children would imitate the activities they saw around them. They might play wedding and funeral games: “We played the flute for you, but you did not dance.” “We sang a dirge, but you did not weep.”

The problem is not that the children do not understand the game. The problem is that they refuse to participate.

Jesus uses this image to describe people who are never satisfied with God's invitation.

When God sends John the Baptist with a serious message of repentance, they reject him.

When Jesus comes with mercy, friendship and joyful good news, they reject Him too.

John is too serious. Jesus is too friendly. John is too strict. Jesus is too liberal.

They always find a reason not to respond.

*2) The deeper meaning: “Nothing is ever right for me”*

The  complain is : “We played the flute, but you did not dance.” “We sang a funeral song, but you did not mourn.”

In other words: “We tried this way—you did not respond. We tried the opposite way—you still did not respond.”

Jesus is describing a heart that has become unresponsive.

It is not really looking for truth. It is looking for an excuse.

The problem is not God's message. The problem is the attitude of the listener.

God changes His messengers and methods, but the person refuses to change.

*3) How was this applicable to the people of Jesus' time?*

Jesus specifically connects the image with John the Baptist and Himself.

John came like a funeral song. John preached: repentance, fasting, conversion, preparation for God's kingdom.  His lifestyle was strict.

People said: “He has a demon.” They rejected John's message.

Jesus came like wedding music. Jesus ate with people, welcomed sinners, healed the sick, forgave, celebrated God's mercy and proclaimed the Kingdom.

Instead of accepting Him, they said: “Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!”

So Jesus exposes their contradiction: John comes with seriousness—they reject him. Jesus comes with joy—they reject Him.

Therefore, the real problem was not John. The real problem was not Jesus.

The real problem was the closed heart of the people.

*4) Why specifically children?*

There is an interesting contrast here.

Children normally have: imagination, spontaneity, openness, willingness to participate, ability to change roles.

But these children are behaving differently. 

They have become complaining children: “You didn't dance.” “You didn't mourn.”

Jesus is therefore using the image ironically.

They are children physically, but their attitude is immature.

They want everyone else to respond according to their expectations.

This gives us a beautiful reflection: Spiritual immaturity is expecting God to speak only in the way I want.

*5) The Marketplace is also significant*

Jesus could have used a family or classroom.

But He chooses the marketplace. Why?

Because the marketplace is where ordinary life happens.

It represents: society, public life, business, relationships, conversations, competition, daily decisions.

Jesus is saying: “The Kingdom of God is being announced in the middle of ordinary life.”

God does not speak only inside the synagogue or temple.

He speaks in the marketplace of our lives.

Today our “marketplace” includes: home, school, workplace, parish, WhatsApp, social media, television, conversations, news,

friendships.

The question is: Can I recognize God's voice in the middle of the noise?

*6) Present-day application: “Nothing satisfies me”*

We can apply the children's complaint to modern life.

Sometimes we behave exactly like them.

When the priest gives a challenging homily: “Too much preaching.”

When the priest gives a simple homily: “There is nothing deep in it.”

When the Church asks for discipline: “The Church is too strict.”

When the Church speaks about mercy: “The Church is becoming too liberal.”

When God asks us to pray: “I am too busy.”

When God gives us time: “Nothing is happening in my life.”

When someone corrects us: “They are judging me.”

When nobody corrects us: “Nobody cares about me.”

Sometimes the problem is not the message. The problem is that we have already decided not to listen.

*7) “God is speaking, but am I responding?”*

God may speak through a flute: 

a beautiful liturgy,

a joyful celebration,

a child's innocent question,

a good friendship,

a moment of happiness.

But do I dance? 

God may speak through a funeral song:

a suffering,

a failure,

a sickness,

a death,

a difficult correction,

a painful experience.

But do I learn?

Sometimes God speaks through joy. Sometimes God speaks through pain.

The important question is not: “How is God speaking?” but: “Am I listening?”

*8) We sometimes want God to change—but not ourselves*

The people of Jesus' time were effectively saying: “God, speak according to my expectations.”

We can do the same. 

We tell God: “Give me the answer I want.” 

“Solve my problem in my way.”

“Bless the plan I have already made.”

“Change the other person, but don't ask me to change.”

That is not discipleship. Prayer is not making God fit into my expectations. Prayer is allowing myself to fit into God's will.

*9) The danger of becoming “spiritually allergic”*

A person can hear so many homilies, attend so many Masses, read so many Bible passages and receive so many invitations to conversion that eventually nothing moves the heart.

The words are heard, but they do not enter.

The message is understood, but there is no response.

The person says: “I know this already.”

That can be spiritually dangerous.

Because Christianity is not simply about hearing something new.

It is about allowing what we have heard to change us.

*10) A very practical reflection: “Which child am I?”*

We can turn Jesus' image into a personal examination.

Am I the child who says: “I will respond when God speaks exactly the way I want”?

Or am I the disciple who says: “Lord, however You speak, help me to listen.”

When God gives us the flute, let us learn to dance.

When God gives us the dirge, let us learn to repent and mourn.

When God gives us joy, let us receive it with gratitude.

When God gives us correction, let us receive it with humility.

When God speaks through another person, let us listen.

When God speaks through suffering, let us search for meaning.

When God speaks through His Word, let us obey.

“THE PROBLEM IS NOT THE MUSIC; THE PROBLEM IS THE HEART THAT REFUSES TO DANCE.”

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*