Monday, October 23, 2023

Today’s Scripture Reading
Matthew 11:16–24

“But to what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to one another, ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn.’ For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon’; the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.” Then he began to reproach the cities in which most of his deeds of power had been done, because they did not repent. “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the deeds of power done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, on the day of judgment it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? No, you will be brought down to Hades. For if the deeds of power done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I tell you that on the day of judgment it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom than for you.” (NRSV)

Reflection

Many years ago a father and daughter stood in front of Fourth Church on a daily basis playing their violins and asking for donations to support them. The father seemed very elderly and frail and the daughter was shy and humble, but together they played beautiful music by Bach and other great composers. Although it was hard to do so, many people on the busy sidewalk walked past them without even acknowledging them, hardly noticing the players or their musical offering.

But people also passed by Jesus and didn’t notice what he was doing either. It frustrated him that more people didn’t notice or appreciate the message and miracles he was sharing in towns he was visiting. He compared the lack of attention he was getting to children who “played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn.”

He even lamented that John the Baptist came and because he didn’t eat or drink people called him a “demon.” And when Jesus himself ate and drank was called a glutton and drunkard. People could not see the good that John or Jesus did because they just walked past them or only saw the flaws. And worst of all, because they didn’t see, they didn’t act, they didn’t change, and this was the real issue that had Jesus frustrated.

Some people are just hard to impress because they expect everything to be absolutely perfect and if it’s not perfect then it can be easily dismissed. I have to confess that I am a perfectionist and struggle with every wrong note I play each and every Sunday. I could easily be consumed by my flaws, but over time I have learned that perfection is not really the most important goal.

What really matters are the people who make the music, the people who hear the music, the love, and concern for each and every one of them.

What really matters is not the occasional wrong note, but the inspiration and comfort brought to all who hear the entire piece of music.

What really matters is guiding each person to a better understanding of the vastness of God’s creation, and to lead each person into an experience of the divine, bringing just a glimpse of heaven to all here on earth.

This is actually the work each of us is called to do, to seek the divine in each other, to bring God’s kingdom here on earth, even for just a brief glimpse. We can all do this in small or large ways, but the important thing is to not be complacent or numb, but to take action. Jesus wants us to take action so that our lives can be changed and made better, and so that other lives can be made better, even made whole. If you’re not dancing with the flute or are too focused on a wrong note, then the kingdom of God is not breaking in.

I don’t know what happened to the father who played violin in front of our church, but the daughter went to Juilliard and became a professional musician. Someone at that prestigious school did notice her playing beautiful music and now she shares God’s transforming beauty through the gift of music for people that really pay attention.

Prayer
God, help me to listen for you and be changed by that message. Help me to bring your kingdom here on earth in tiny or large acts every day. Amen.

Written by John W. W. Sherer, Fourth Church Organist and Director of Music

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

Devotion index by date | I’d like to receive daily devotions by email