Shake it Off
Taylor Swift’s song “Shake it Off” is a generational anthem about being true to yourself and the happiness that results from doing so. Today’s readings are not at all dissimilar- in both the reading and the Psalm, God lays out his promise of what we are to receive as a result of leading a devoted life. Essentially, what He is promising us is fulfillment. At the time of the Old Testament the primary concern of those reading the scriptures was the continuity of one’s family lineage. For God to say that we would have descendants as numerous as the sand is metaphor for saying that we will find fulfillment and spiritual wealth by following God. This is God’s promise and covenant with us. But like any good promise, it gets more complicated when we go to put it into practice. The day’s Gospel demonstrates this point.
Jesus, when talking about the Pharisees points out the inherent hypocrisy in rejecting John the Baptist for refusing food and drink while at the same time rejecting Jesus as a glutton for eating and drinking with tax collectors and sinners. The Pharisees are a good foil to demonstrate how the world will treat a religious individual. No matter what you do, someone seeking to take issue with you will take issue with you. Taking these two passages together, it is clear that someone who seeks to follow God cannot worry about perception, but instead have faith in God that the vindication he promises will come to fruition even when doubt is cast on you from external forces. Or in other, more contemporary words, “haters gonna hate, so I’m just gonna shake it off, shake it off.”
Reflection by Nicole Burdette
Nicole is another participant in our RCIA program and is looking forward to joining the Church fully at the Easter Vigil this year.
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