single "character", or the Son of man
(Mt 11:16-19)
The Gospels break through, advance and liberate, making us realise the enormous difference between common religious belief, and Faith.
They emancipate us by overturning positions: those who used to feel defended and secure - or on the crest of the wave [fashionable] - now seem to understand nothing of God's action in us.
While in Christ the providence of new structures makes its way, those who are bound to banal forms stubbornly try to re-relate to them.
Whimsical children always complain, when they don’t get a prominent place in the games, or when others do not do what they say.
The Baptist was a prestigious herald, called to the realization of God’s plan [known by reason of his particular figure, perhaps more inclined to renounce].
But the prejudice of mortification was not appreciated: therefore, John was a nuisance to be rejected.
The ‘Son of man’ was more sympathetic, expressive and welcoming; He made no problem of purity [so He too was an exaggeration]: therefore to be insulted and condemned.
The austere and penitent was judged like a demon possessed; the young Rabbi who invited to joy, a lax.
John seemed too demanding, Jesus exaggeratedly wide of ideas and behaviors.
Spoiled kids do not even agree on the game, and they obstinately stand firm on their positions.
Unsatisfied infants reject every proposal: they always have to argue.
But the Revelation goes beyond every Expectation.
Of course, the austere way of the desert seemed unreasonable.
The Lord instead lived among people, accepting invitations and not trying to look different from others - but his affable and simple style was considered too ordinary and accessible for an Envoy by God.
«Yet Wisdom has been recognized as right by her works» (v.19) ie the little ones read the sign of the times.
The sons recognize the divine Wisdom, they see its design.
They understand the plan of Salvation in the preaching of the Baptist and of Christ.
They don’t have too much ‘control’ over things; they are friends with them.
They are aware of limitations and strengths; they even learn from subordinate positions and from the dark sides, acquire and gain from the same fears.
They overcome the spiritual immobility of the great experts, critics of every breeze of change, or too abstract and sophisticated.
Both of which install themselves and dominate - generating a radically impoverished humanity.
These are like childish and insatiable figures, but who neither rise nor move: «seated» (v.16).
They trample, violate, jam everything.
Everywhere, the "elected" remain indifferent or misplaced, because they are one-sided, catch and understand only "one thing".
They never close their ‘character’ to open another one, or to explore different sides of themselves and the world.
They have a starched soul.
Instead, those who do not feel a closed heart are anticipating the Coming of a new Kingdom, by seizing their ‘eternal face’.
[Friday 2nd wk. in Advent, December 12, 2025]
