John Baptist, the last prophet of the Old Testament time, lived an austere life and preached repentance. Jesus, the Son of Man, lived the life of an itinerant missioner among the poor. He healed the wounded and befriended sinners. He preached faith in God's mercy and conversion of the heart.

Much as the people longed to know God and do God's will, they missed the signs of how God made Himself known throughout history. They moulded the Mystery that is God into 'one' model of holiness, the Way into 'one' lifestyle, according to their own egoistic or cultural and religious frame.

To them and to us, Jesus gave the metaphor of 'children sitting in the marketplace' (cf today's gospel reading). We reproach John for his austerity and Jesus for his lack of austerity (v 15). We think that there is only one way of serving God - my way!