“To what shall I compare the people of this generation?
What are they like? They are like children who sit in the marketplace and call to one another,
‘We played the flute for you, but you did not dance. We sang a dirge, but you did not weep.’ “
Luke
When I was teaching, one of the things I dreaded most was reading student course evaluations. While most were positive or even flattering, one or two always criticized something I had done or said. There was just no pleasing everyone. That seems to be the lesson of today’s gospel from Luke. Even Jesus , who was perfect, couldn’t. And he noted the irony of being criticized for doing the opposite of the things for which they had criticized John the Baptist.
This passage differs from many readings where Jesus tells a story then ends with the moral he’s teaching. This approach is particularly helpful when the story deals with a difficulty we are having. Today, however, Jesus leaves us more or less on our own to figure out what to do. I related to the mere fact that like most of us, he was peeved by unfair criticism. Like us, he was human and responded as such and would likely understand our annoyance.
I especially remember one of those darn critiques where a student complained that I invited students to come or email me for help at any time -- no appointment needed. I actually felt noble for doing this because it stemmed from trying to practice Jesuit “cura personalis,” or care of the person. As an incentive to take advantage of this offer, I said students who did so normally raised their grades significantly. DUH!
My critic, however complained that this was unfair to people like themselves who were too busy to drop by or email for help. REALLY???? I was peeved – a little like Jesus today.
As I meditated on this passage, I remembered when I was the critic. While I almost never criticized my adored mother, I wasn’t thrilled when she forced me to solve intractable geometry problems or rip and redo a badly done seam when she taught me to sew. Later I was grateful for her toughness but not at the time. Perhaps that’s another lesson to be learned in coping with criticism.
In retrospect some complaints are laughable like the student who evaluated a star professor who had applied for tenure saying. “Dr. XXX makes it impossible for the average student to get an A.” Okay!
Today’s reading reminds us that while Jesus apparently didn’t like unreasonable criticism any more than we do, he lived with it, just as we must as we stumble through life. Jesus understands that most of the time we are doing the best we can as we stumble through life.
That’s what I did with the student complaint of unfairness. What I saw as cura personalis won out but I told future classes that I knew they had crazy schedules that I’d try to accommodate them if they asked. It was the best I could do and I never again got such a complaint. So maybe that critique did some good after all.
Eileen Wirth
I’m a retired Creighton journalism professor, active in St. John’s parish and a CLC member. In retirement, I write books about state and local history, including a history of the parish, and do volunteer PR consulting for groups like Habitat for Humanities, refugees etc. I love to read, work out, spend time with family and friends including those who can no longer get out much.
Writing reflections has deepened my faith by requiring me to engage deeply with Jesus through the Scriptures. In the many years I have been doing this, I’ve also formed friendships with regular readers nationally, most of whom I have never met. Hearing from readers and what I learn by writing make the hours I spend on each reflection well worth the effort.
