Wednesday, 20th September 2023. Read 1 Timothy 3:14-16, Ps. 111:1-6, Luke 7:31-35
“We piped to you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not weep.” (Luke 7:32)
No matter how good you are, you will always have enemies; there will always be people to criticise you, insult you and denigrate your name. One musician said: “If no one is talking about you (negatively), then you don’t exist.”
Jesus says in today’s Gospel passage: “To what then shall I compare the men of this generation, and what are they like? … For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and drinking no wine; and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Behold, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ (Luke 7:31-34).
Are you worried about what people are saying about you? Begin by assuming that what they are saying is true. Examine your conscience and repent from any vice or evil you are accused of. Take steps to become a better person. Take it as an opportunity to notice the log in your eye. We can never know some truths about ourselves unless others tell us.
Don’t take every criticism as an insult. If hearing negative comments about you pains you that much, then such comments are true. In 1888, Alfred Nobel, the inventor of the dynamite, woke up to read his obituary announcement in the newspaper. His brother died, and the reporter made a mistake. Today, the world remembers him as the founder of the Nobel Peace Prize.
On the other hand, if you are innocent of what is being said about you, it will not bother you. In this case, surrender everything to God in prayer and relax your mind. When Potiphar’s wife accused Joseph of rape, he had no one to defend him. Years later, Joseph understood why he needed to suffer such an experience.
Try as much as you can not to develop hateful feelings for those who speak badly about you. Once you hate, you have become the same as your enemy, surrendered your peace, and become a living dead. Strive to please God. Be a good person; forget about trying to please human beings (avoid hypocrisy). Just as God fought for Joseph and many others like him, God will fight for you. Those who try to kill you by giving you a bad name will start speaking in your favour.
Jesus’ critics called him a glutton and a friend of tax collectors. In response, Jesus said: “All her children justify Wisdom.” Actions speak louder than words. A footballer once wrote on his Twitter handle: “Those who know do not criticise, and those who criticise do not know.” Do not be too quick to criticise others or to believe the negative tales you hear.
And if you hear such about someone, reach out to them. Be a mentor and a guide to them as St. Paul was to Timothy. (Cf. 1 Timothy 3:14-15). It is better to help others become their best than to go about destroying their reputation. Today, we remember the martyrs Andrew Kim Taegon, Paul Chong Hasang and their companions. As we remember their heroic witnessing of Christ, let us remember that each time we bear false tales about others, we are not better than those who killed the martyrs.
Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, help me strive to please you and not the people around me. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Saints Andrew Kim Taegon, Priest, & Paul Chong Hasang, & Comp., Bible Study: 1 Timothy 3:14-16, Ps. 111:1-6, Luke 7:31-35).
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu
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