People’s Opinions about Us

 

Public opinions are not always correct.

Reflection on Today’s Readings, Wednesday of 24th Week in Ordinary Time, Year I, and the Memorial of St. Andrew Kim Tae-gǒn, September 20th, 2023
Texts: 1 Timothy 3:14-16; Psalm 111:1-6; Luke 7:31-35 

Today’s gospel reading reminds us that we should not allow people’s opinions about us rule our lives. People will speak about us but they are not always right. People also spoke about John the Baptist and Jesus Christ. Jesus recalls His own experience thus: “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!'” He reminds us of the experience of John the Baptist thus: “For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and drinking no wine; and you say, 'He has a demon.'”

Public opinions are not always correct; they are often ways of avoiding the truth. This was the case in today’s story of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ. The people resulted to abuse to neglect the truth of their message. This is prevalent in our time and age of social media. We have to be very careful of the information we accept and share. We have to fact check information and take responsibility for what we believe. John the Baptist had no demon and Jesus was not a drunkard and glutton. Whenever it happens to us, we should no that we are not alone in the experience.  

Church is the pillar bulwark of the truth

St. Paul reminds us, today, that the Church has the truth and as such we are to behave well. He says, “I am writing these instructions to you so that, if I am delayed, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and bulwark of the truth.” Being the pillar and bulwark of the truth, the Church demands our obedience. We should not wait for anyone to tell us to follow the truth. Those who seek and follow the truth do not fall prey to public false opinions.  

Today we celebrate Korean Martyrs and remember a church founded by laypeople. Hence, we also celebrate the undying spirit of our laypeople which sustains the Church. Andrew Kim Tae-gǒn was the first Korean priest. He received training secretly because of persecution. He was Martyred with his father and others the next year of his ordination. The martyrs remind us to always stand up for our faith. We stand up for our faith when we live it out daily.  

Prayer 

O God, who have been pleased to increase your adopted children in all the world, and who made the blood of the Martyrs Saint Andrew Kim Tae-gǒn and his companions a most fruitful seed of Christians, grant that we may be defended by their help and profit always from their example. Amen (Collect) 

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke