3M Reflection & Hymn - Wisdom's Song (Matthew 11: 16-19)

Wisdom's Song - Matthew 11: 16-19
2nd Week Advent, Friday.

0:00 Begin
2:44 Hymn

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https://www.delanyfoundation.org.au

A prayer service if you wish (2nd Week of Advent):
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/evenhz...

A reflection on the Gospel Matthew 11: 16-19.

Here Jesus speaks to a generation unable to recognise God’s presence, no matter how clearly it is offered. John the Baptist came in radical austerity, and they dismissed him as too severe. The Son of Man came in compassion, entering people’s homes, eating and drinking with them, and they dismissed Him as too familiar. The tragedy is not that God is silent, but that hearts are closed—expecting God to arrive only in the form they prefer.

Jesus’ words gently challenge us in this Advent season. How often do we imagine God’s action only in one shape—grand, dramatic, unmistakable? And how often do we overlook His grace because it arrives quietly, through ordinary people, daily routines, or unexpected voices? The Gospel reminds us that divine wisdom is revealed not through our preferences but through the fruits of lives changed.

Advent invites us to widen our gaze. God may come to us in the prophetic stillness of John, calling us to conversion and simplicity. Or He may come in the warmth of Christ’s table fellowship, drawing near to our humanity with joy and mercy. Both reveal the same loving heart. The question is whether we are listening.

Jesus ends with a promise: “Wisdom is justified by her deeds.” In other words, God’s work speaks for itself. Wherever compassion grows, wherever forgiveness takes root, wherever hope is rekindled—there is Emmanuel, God-with-us. This Gospel encourages us to be open to the surprising ways the Lord walks among us, inviting us to recognise His presence, respond with humility, and prepare a place for Him in our lives. In this openness, we are freed from cynicism and drawn into the joyful wisdom of God.

Let us pray.
Loving God, open our hearts to recognise Your presence in every moment. Free us from expectations that blind us to the quiet ways You speak. As John called for repentance and Jesus welcomed all to His table, teach us to embrace both challenge and mercy. May Your wisdom guide our choices, soften our judgements, and deepen our compassion. In this Advent time, help us to listen more attentively, to discern Your voice in the everyday, and to welcome Christ with renewed faith and gratitude. Let our lives bear witness to Your goodness until He comes again in glory. Amen.

Hymn: Wisdom’s Song
Verse 1
A generation hears the call,
Yet turns its gaze away;
Your wisdom walks among us still,
Inviting hearts to stay.
Chorus
Wisdom’s song is ringing clear,
Calling every heart to hear;
Light has come and walks beside—
In Your presence we abide.
Verse 2
John spoke with fire, stark and bright,
Yet some refused his plea;
Christ came with mercy, shared our bread—
Still doubt would not yet flee.
Chorus
Wisdom’s song is ringing clear,
Calling every heart to hear;
Light has come and walks beside—
In Your presence we abide.
Verse 3
But in Your works Your truth is shown,
In lives renewed by grace;
You dance with joy, You weep with us,
You meet us in each place.
Chorus
Wisdom’s song is ringing clear,
Calling every heart to hear;
Light has come and walks beside—
In Your presence we abide.
Bridge
In silence or in joyful sound,
In desert wind or banquet feast,
Your Spirit moves where love is found—
Our hope, our joy, our Prince of Peace.
Verse 4
So open wide our hearts, O Lord,
To recognise Your voice;
In every whisper of Your love
Teach us again to rejoice.
Chorus
Wisdom’s song is ringing clear,
Calling every heart to hear;
Light has come and walks beside—
In Your presence we abide.