Sunday 09 July 2023

Psalm 145

Background

From an early age our youngest granddaughter has ‘jiggled’ to music. It’s hard to tell now whether she just did it naturally or whether her big sister set the trend. Children who are a bit older may become more embarrassed about dancing or refuse to join in one another’s rhyme games – for all sorts of reasons including being self-conscious, not liking the ‘mood’ of things, or just being awkward. I guess that’s the sort of behaviour Jesus had observed ‘in the marketplace’ and from which he drew his illustration in verse 17. No matter what Jesus, or John the Baptist, did, those who thought they knew better just didn’t want to ‘play ball’ (to shift the metaphor a little). They found the style of both men distasteful, whether it was austere as with John, or full of feasting as with Jesus. Our reading jumps over a very harsh few verses which seem to take his judgement on them to a whole new level – not easy reading perhaps, but maybe a sign of Jesus’ sheer frustration.

That same granddaughter has been going through a very clingy stage, seeming only to trust her parents, or possibly her big sister. Others are viewed with great seriousness and suspicion, and any suggestion of going with them without her parents brings sharp refusal and sometimes tears if not desperate screaming. However, gradually she’s trusting others enough to hold their hand and go a little way from Mum and Dad. I wonder if the contrast Jesus drew between the ‘wise and intelligent’ and the ‘infants’ is at heart about trust, and about trust gained through love and respect – the offer of a hand to hold which is not forced. For me that makes sense of the apparently sudden leap of thought in the final verses of our reading, with their offer of comfort, rest, and learning, as well responsibility that isn’t too ‘heavy’.

To Ponder:

• What burdens am I carrying which could become lighter if I learned to trust more?
• Are there people in my life who are resistant to Jesus in some way. How might I help them to relax and become more open?

Prayer

Father, Lord of heaven and earth, forgive me where I have tended to think I ‘know it all’. You know me through and through and beckon me to take your hand. Thank you, Father. Amen.