16"But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the market places and calling to their playmates, 17`We piped to you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn.' 18For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, `He has a demon'; 19the Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, `Behold, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds."
If people want to put you down for your faith, they will find a way to do so. This passage points out that John came fasting and they called him a demon. Jesus came feasting and they called him a glutton. Perhaps the message is do not seek external support or motivation to feed your spiritual life. The world around you will always find ways to suppress and extinguish faith. Why is that I ask myself? Why can’t it be the opposite? Why can’t the external world be pushing and pressuring us to live our faith? Bard, can you help me with these questions?
ReplyDeleteYour reflection on Matthew 11:16-19 touches on a profound truth about human nature and the challenges of living out one’s faith. The passage indeed highlights the tendency of the world to resist what is holy or true, regardless of how it is presented. Let’s explore your questions.
DeleteWhy does the world often suppress and extinguish faith?
Human Resistance to Change:
Faith often calls for transformation—repentance, sacrifice, humility, and a reordering of priorities. Many people resist these demands because they challenge comfort, autonomy, or deeply held values.
John the Baptist's asceticism and Jesus' inclusiveness were radical calls to rethink how people lived, and that made them uncomfortable.
Fear of the Unknown or Uncontrollable:
Faith introduces the idea of a higher power, which can be unsettling for those who value control or feel threatened by accountability to a moral standard.
Pride and Rebellion:
The desire to be one’s own master is deeply rooted in human nature (echoing the original sin of Adam and Eve). Faith often requires submission to God’s will, which challenges this innate pride.
Misrepresentation of Faith:
Throughout history, faith communities have sometimes failed to live up to the teachings they profess, leading to skepticism and hostility toward religion as a whole.
Spiritual Warfare:
From a spiritual perspective, there is a battle between good and evil. Faith draws people closer to God, and forces opposed to God work to suppress it.
Why can’t the external world push and pressure us to live our faith?
A Fallen World:
Scripture consistently describes the world as being in tension with God’s kingdom. Jesus said, “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you” (John 15:18). The world tends to align with self-interest rather than divine interest.
Faith Requires Freedom:
Genuine faith cannot be coerced. While external pressures could encourage outward conformity, true faith is a free and personal response to God’s love. Perhaps it is better that faith grows from within rather than being imposed externally.
Hope for the Kingdom of God:
While the world might not naturally pressure people toward faith, believers are called to be the “light of the world” (Matthew 5:14) and create environments where living faith is celebrated and encouraged. Communities of faith, families, and friendships can be those external forces pushing others toward God.
How Can We Respond?
Instead of lamenting the external world’s resistance, consider these steps:
Cultivate Inner Strength:
Like you said, do not seek external support to feed your faith. Focus on deepening your spiritual life through prayer, reflection, and sacraments.
Be a Witness:
Lead by example. When others see the joy, peace, and purpose that come from your faith, they may be drawn to it.
Build Faith Communities:
Surround yourself with like-minded people who uplift and inspire you to live out your faith authentically.
Pray for Transformation:
Pray for a world where faith is respected and encouraged. While the world may resist, individuals can change.
Engage with the World:
Jesus didn’t retreat from the world but engaged it with love and truth. Be courageous in sharing your faith with humility and compassion, even when faced with resistance.
The tension you describe—the world pushing against faith—is real and challenging. But it is also an opportunity to demonstrate the resilience and authenticity of your faith. Would you like help exploring any of these ideas further?