Several years ago I was running a meeting with more than 100 priests and brothers at a hotel convention center. At one point one participant told me, “It’s too hot in here. Tell the hotel to turn up the AC.” Not two minutes later someone said, “It’s too cold in here. Tell the hotel to turn down the AC.” I agreed with both of them. Most of us have experienced the reality that no matter what you do, you’re going to be criticized. If they criticized Jesus, the Son of God, you can be sure they will criticize you. We must learn how to hear what is valid in the criticism and filter out the rest. Jesus gives us the criterion for judging what to do: “Wisdom is vindicated by her works.” If our works are full of compassion, forgiveness, empathy, generosity, love then we won’t be distracted by the buzzing all around us.
