The Gospel passage reveals the non-acceptance and rejection of Jesus and John the Baptist by their people. The parable of the children in the market place shows the lack of response from the Jews. The children represented the Jews who refused to respond to the offer of salvation by John and Jesus. They even considered Jesus as possessed, drunk and having meals with sinners. In spite of this rejection, wisdom is justified and both Jesus and John were vindicated.

By refusing Jesus' offer of salvation, they lost the opportunity to receive God's blessings as listed in the first reading, namely, happiness like a river, integrity like sea waves and descendants as many as the sand and grains. Very often the self-centred and uncommitted do not want to get involved especially to participate actively in parish life. They want to remain as mere observers and are prone to criticize. Do we hold the same position as these or do we want to accept Jesus' message of Good News and give our appropriate responses?