Today Gospel lesson is Matthew 11:16-19. "... to what shall I compare this generation?" was Jesus' question. Both he and John the Baptist had met with rejection -- John for being an ascetic and Jesus for not being an ascetic. You just can't win!

The people of his generation did not recognize either the Messiah or his herald for who they were, even when the evidence was placed before them. "My mind's made up. Don't confuse me with facts."

The question is: is this generation any different? Do we often fail to see God's agency for what it truly is? Do we reject those come to us with prophetic vision and words, calling us to new action, to repentance and renewal? I have to answer that with an unequivocal "Yes."

Why do we fail to hear the Word of God? Going back to John the Baptist, it appears that John presented a stern and uncompromising message in a fashion totally congruent with the message. He walked the talk, challenging people to amend their lives, and giving them a model in himself. Many people became his disciples, but others who really needed to repent, especially the wealthy and the powerful, were so discomfited that one of them eventually imprisoned and executed him.

I can easily hear someone saying, "If John is an example of holiness, I'll do without, thank you very much."

And Jesus -- our Saviour, the Christ, the Lord -- (among other things) challenged people in his radical inclusivity, reaching out to welcome sinners and tax collectors. "If being holy means eating with 'those people,' I'll go on just as I am."

We want a God who pats us on the back, and says, "You're all right, Jack! Carry on." As John and Jesus showed us, God doesn't behave that way, but continually challenges us to renewal of life. God's ways are not our ways, the ways we would choose for ourselves.

O God of holiness,
help us not to mistake the voices around us for your voice
and give us the grace to listern carefully for your true word,
that we may hear and respond,
repenting and seeking the renewal that only you can give.