Isaiah 48:17-19 / Matthew 11:16-19
One of the easiest ways to cause disappointment is to be silent when a good and charitable act to done to us.
So for example, when our mothers prepare a meal for us at home, we may just be indifferent about it and sit at the table and gobble down the food and not say a word of thanks or compliment our mothers for the food.
To be silent may mean that we are taking things, as well as people, for granted and also that we don't appreciate the good that is done for us.
If our silence means that we are indifferent, disinterested and unconcerned, then our criticism can certainly cause more than disappointment.
Because with criticism there will be hurt and pain, which will in turn cause unrest and agitation, to say the least.
In the gospel, Jesus commented that the people of His generation seemed to only know how to criticize John the Baptist and Himself, but they wouldn't dance to pipes nor mourn with the dirges.
They were not wise enough to see that John the Baptist and Jesus had a message for their salvation.
And as the oracle of 1st reading puts it: If only you had been alert to my commandments, your happiness would have been like a river, your integrity like the waves of the sea.
So as we enter deeper into the season of Advent, let us pray for the wisdom to understand the message of salvation.
To be silent and not to respond would only leave us disappointed and dismayed at Christmas.