Please read the passage before the homily.
Did Jesus see us, as children, playing in the streets and vacant lots our childish games of dolls, tag, funeral, weddings, baseball, football, house and similar games? Did he perhaps see us as bored, wanting to be alone sucking our thumbs and blocking out everything else? Is this how Jesus saw the children of his day playing in the streets?
John the Baptist was too strict, and Jesus was too much of the party animal for those worrying about their life under Roman occupation with its heavy taxes. For some, perhaps, life was boring and they refused to be sidetracked by John and Jesus.
Jesus’ enemies refuse to take a stand on John the Baptist, as to whether he was a prophet or a liar. They seem to take the same stance regarding Jesus.
Consider this, however, that children are supposed to be playing games and can move from sad play to happy play, over and over again. Play is their work. Adults, however, have to make commitments and find jobs. By the work adults do, they teach the children how to grow up.
We are the leaders of the people. We have to show others how to live the faith, recognizing the call to follow God after the manner of John the Baptist or after the manner of Jesus. In both ways, we are to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ. We have made the commitment to Jesus Christ. We follow him.