The Ascetic & The Drunk
/Scripture
Jesus continued, “For John the Baptist didn’t spend his time eating bread or drinking wine, and you say, ‘He’s possessed by a demon.’ The Son of Man, on the other hand, feasts and drinks, and you say, ‘He’s a glutton and a drunkard, and a friend of tax collectors and other sinners!’ But wisdom is shown to be right by the lives of those who follow it.” (Luke 7:33-35 NLT)
The Ascetic & The Drunk
Where do you want to get your wisdom – from an ascetic prophet in the wilds of nature or a garrulous friend of drunks in the homes and streets of town? Or perhaps you prefer those who would reject the former, filled with self-righteous rectitude and offering black and white answers to your questions? In a pre-social media age we often accepted or rejected the ideas of people more because of style than substance and now it’s even worse.
In the pre-Christmas season we meditate some days on John the Baptist and others we admire the engagement of Jesus with saints and sinners, prostitutes and affluent tax people. It struck me the other day that these were the people who went out to the wilderness to listen to John the Baptist while the black and whites rejected his message of hope and change.
Guess who are in Jesus’ audience? The same prostitutes and sinners who had been touched by John’s message but still had to make a living. They come and discover love and acceptance and hope for greater change in their circumstances than ever before.
The ascetic opened their eyes and souls so that they found the One who offered his friendship in their streets and homes and around their dinner tables and hillside barbecues. And as we navigate this season of turmoil and change and hope and light we hear Jesus’ words, “But wisdom is shown to be right by the lives of those who follow it.”
Have a safe and blessed season and we will see you in January.
Light of the world, we bow before You in awe and adoration.
Bless us and our simple faith seeking understanding.
Epiphany means manifestation, lifting the veil, revelation.
Reveal to us then what we need to know to love You, and serve You, and
keep Your word with fidelity and truth, courage and hope, this day and always.
Amen
(Miriam Therese Winter in O Holy Night! Timeless Meditations on Christmas A. Jean Lesher)
