Two ways

Some believe that the way to be a good Christian is to be firm and clear about the truth of Christian faith and morals and to avoid anything that might be interpreted as compromise or entanglement with the ways of this world.

Others believe that the way to be a good Christian is to make present in this world the love of Jesus Christ and the justice of God by being actively involved as followers of Christ in the problems of this world.

In the former case, the people of this world often denounce such Christians as out-of-touch, holier-than-thou, hypocrites, or other terrible things.

In the latter case, the people of this world often smile patronizingly and use such Christians as de facto allies for very unchristian purposes.

This echoes our Lord’s words in today’s Gospel (Luke 7:31-35):

To what shall I compare the people of this generation?
What are they like?
They are like children
who sit in the marketplace and call to one another,

‘We played the flute for you,
but you did not dance.
We sang a dirge,
but you did not weep.’

For John the Baptist came
neither eating food nor drinking wine,
and you said, ‘He is possessed by a demon.’
The Son of Man came
eating and drinking
and you said,
‘Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard,
a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’

But wisdom is vindicated by all her children.

Ideally, of course, we should follow both ways of being good Christians.

We as Christians should strive to be clear and pure while also being active in love and justice.

As in everything, we need to ask the Lord continually for his grace: that we may be true lights in this world and effective salt of this earth.

(adapted from a previous post)