The greatest insight we can have, one that will give us much peace in this life, is: you can’t please everyone. Some people are not going to like you and some will always have some complaint to make about you. Jesus knew this all so well, as he says in today’s gospel, in so many ways. If he fasts from good and drink, he’s a weird ascetic; if he eats at dinners and enjoys a glass or two of vino, he’s a drunk!!! Can’t win!!! And these people love to make lives miserable for others.
Jesus was hounded by people who just didn’t like him or understand his mission. They were deeply angry that he was challenging their status quo, in that, he was preaching and teaching beyond their understanding of the Law...and God. They were not going to like Jesus, no matter what.
The same is true for each and every person. There will be those, within our families, friendships and parishes who just don’t like how we see things. Perhaps they don’t like how they perceive we vote and our political positions. Maybe it’s our spirituality or our understanding of the Church. Maybe it’s just our personality. It’s so painful when someone in your own family doesn't particularly like you or you may not particularly like one of your own flesh and blood. You can not like someone, but still love them and care about them. Whenever you have more than one person involved, life will get a bit messy.
Whatever it is, each one of us must make peace with the plain truth that we will never please nor be liked by everybody. Jesus even says to his disciples, if people don’t accept you or your message, “shake the dust from your feet” and move on with your life. Words of peace and wisdom.
Peace,
Fr. Frank