A Homily on Luke 7:31-35 : Living as Children of Wisdom (17-9-25)

A unique homily on Luke 7:31-35, centered on wisdom as the way to see God’s hand in daily life and family living. (17-9-25)

Praise be to Jesus Christ 

One day in a village, two men looked at the same tree. One said, “This tree is useless. It does not give good wood, and its shade attracts birds that dirty the ground.” The other man said, “This tree is a blessing. Its shade gives us rest in the heat, its roots hold the soil during rains, and its fruit, though small, feeds the poor birds.” Both men saw the same tree, but one saw a problem, the other saw a gift. That difference is wisdom.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks of people who never found satisfaction. John the Baptist lived a strict life of fasting and prayer, and they called him possessed. Jesus came with joy, healing, and friendship, and they called Him a glutton. Whatever God gave, they rejected. At the end, Jesus says, “Wisdom is proved right by all her children.”

Wisdom is not about being clever. It is not about having answers for everything. Wisdom is about seeing with God’s eyes. In the Old Testament, Solomon prayed, “Give your servant an understanding heart to judge your people.” That prayer pleased God more than asking for wealth or long life. Solomon knew that only wisdom can guide life.

The people of Israel in the desert lacked this wisdom. When God gave manna, they wanted meat. When He gave water, they still doubted. But Joseph in Egypt showed wisdom. Betrayed by his brothers, sold as a slave, put in prison, he could have lived in bitterness. Instead, he said, “God turned this for good.” That is wisdom: to see God’s hand even in suffering.

How do we bring this into our homes today. Wisdom is not only for kings and prophets. It is needed in the kitchen, in the fields, in the small conversations of family. When a husband returns tired and the wife chooses to welcome him with a smile instead of complaint, that is wisdom. When a child shows effort in school and the parents encourage rather than scold, that is wisdom. When in prayer we do not only ask, but also trust, that is wisdom.

Saint Francis of Assisi saw wisdom in all creation. He praised God for the sun, the moon, the wind, and even for Sister Death. Saint Teresa of Calcutta saw wisdom in the poor, saying, “Each one of them is Jesus in disguise.” Their eyes were trained to see beyond appearances. That is why Jesus calls them children of wisdom.

The world around us trains us to complain, to compare, to criticize. That is why people in Jesus’ time could not accept either John or Him. They wanted God on their own terms. True wisdom, however, is humble. It bows before God and says, “Your ways are higher than my ways.”

“Wisdom is proved right by all her children.” To be a child of wisdom means to live with gratitude, with openness, with trust. It means not rejecting God’s gifts simply because they come in unexpected forms. In our families and in our faith, wisdom is what keeps peace alive and hearts united.

Lord, give me wisdom. Amen.

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