Passing Fancies

Gospel: Luke 7: 31-35

Jesus makes a critique of his times that is well-suited to our times and to all others.  He observes the passing fancies of the culture, switching from mirth to dirge at the drop of a hat, providing an endless stream of shallow commentary on the figures and events of the day.  One day the crowd loves Jesus; the next it calls for his execution.  The hive mind has been programmed for instant reaction and zero reflection.  

Consider our culture with its 24-hour news cycle and instant reactions to every event and public figure.  How often are these commentaries rash and outright wrong?  We do not even take the time to create such a scorecard because as soon as the issue du jour is over we move on to the next one where everyone becomes an internet expert on that issue.  All of this done to defend the false gods we have crafted for ourselves in the culture...

We are anxious and troubled about many things, but only one is necessary.  We can choose to have our lives guided by the news cycle, but it will only lead to ruin.  Or we can choose to have our lives guided by the liturgical cycle, a place of reflection and meditation at the feet of the Lord Jesus.  If we follow the latter cycle, we will find ourselves over time living more like the Lord Jesus, performing deeds of loving kindness toward others, ignoring the ephemeral din of the culture of reaction, seeking God alone.