Complaints
The dictionary definition of ‘complain’ is to express dissatisfaction or annoyance about something. From a human standpoint, it seems to be a natural response to ‘vent’ when things don’t go our way, for example, your car broke down on a Sunday and there’s no repair shop open; trains are not running and the bus replacements are nowhere in sight; the cost of living has become so high; the list can go on. We usually complain with the hope that in doing so, the annoyance or dissatisfaction comes to a resolution. However, complaining can be very stressful and is usually not an adequate response to any situation or person. Constant complaining can lead us to a destructive path, to a negative bias of the world around us.
In today’s Gospel, the Jews’ response to Jesus’ teaching was to complain to one another. They were annoyed because they couldn’t understand his teaching. Annoyed because they couldn’t accept Jesus to be more than ‘just the son of a carpenter’, and therefore he could not have ‘come down from heaven’. They were the learned ones – they studied the laws and teachings of Moses all their lives. They held high positions in society. Such pride led them to keep on complaining, rather than opening their hearts and minds to Jesus. Even with all the signs and miracles that were right before their eyes, they were blinded by their own pride and jealousy. Because of their negative bias, they failed to hear our Lord when he said, ‘come to me’.
It has been said that in order to be abundant, one needs to express gratitude, not gripes. “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). Instead of dwelling on the annoyances and anxieties of life, be thankful always. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7). We choose what we feed ourselves – body, heart, mind, and spirit. Our Lord offers himself to us as the bread that comes down from heaven – the bread of life. He invites us to come to him as the first step towards a relationship with him in faith. He invites us to feed on him. Feed on the word of God.
“To hear the teaching of the Father, and learn from it, is to come to me.”
Randy Reyes
