Monday of the Third Week of Advent
Lectionary: 187
Lectionary: 187
When Balaam raised
his eyes and saw Israel encamped, tribe by tribe,
the spirit of God came upon him,
and he gave voice to his oracle:
The utterance of Balaam, son of Beor,
the utterance of a man whose eye is true,
The utterance of one who hears what God says,
and knows what the Most High knows,
Of one who sees what the Almighty sees,
enraptured, and with eyes unveiled:
How goodly are your tents, O Jacob;
your encampments, O Israel!
They are like gardens beside a stream,
like the cedars planted by the LORD.
His wells shall yield free-flowing waters,
he shall have the sea within reach;
His king shall rise higher,
and his royalty shall be exalted.
Then Balaam gave voice to his oracle:
The utterance of Balaam, son of Beor,
the utterance of the man whose eye is true,
The utterance of one who hears what God says,
and knows what the Most High knows,
Of one who sees what the Almighty sees,
enraptured, and with eyes unveiled.
I see him, though not now;
I behold him, though not near:
A star shall advance from Jacob,
and a staff shall rise from Israel.
the spirit of God came upon him,
and he gave voice to his oracle:
The utterance of Balaam, son of Beor,
the utterance of a man whose eye is true,
The utterance of one who hears what God says,
and knows what the Most High knows,
Of one who sees what the Almighty sees,
enraptured, and with eyes unveiled:
How goodly are your tents, O Jacob;
your encampments, O Israel!
They are like gardens beside a stream,
like the cedars planted by the LORD.
His wells shall yield free-flowing waters,
he shall have the sea within reach;
His king shall rise higher,
and his royalty shall be exalted.
Then Balaam gave voice to his oracle:
The utterance of Balaam, son of Beor,
the utterance of the man whose eye is true,
The utterance of one who hears what God says,
and knows what the Most High knows,
Of one who sees what the Almighty sees,
enraptured, and with eyes unveiled.
I see him, though not now;
I behold him, though not near:
A star shall advance from Jacob,
and a staff shall rise from Israel.
Responsorial PsalmPS 25:4-5AB, 6 AND 7BC,
8-9
R. (4) Teach me your ways, O Lord.
Your ways, O LORD, make known to me;
teach me your paths,
Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my savior.
R. Teach me your ways, O Lord.
Remember that your compassion, O LORD,
and your kindness are from of old.
In your kindness remember me,
because of your goodness, O LORD.
R. Teach me your ways, O Lord.
Good and upright is the LORD;
thus he shows sinners the way.
He guides the humble to justice,
he teaches the humble his way.
R. Teach me your ways, O Lord.
Your ways, O LORD, make known to me;
teach me your paths,
Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my savior.
R. Teach me your ways, O Lord.
Remember that your compassion, O LORD,
and your kindness are from of old.
In your kindness remember me,
because of your goodness, O LORD.
R. Teach me your ways, O Lord.
Good and upright is the LORD;
thus he shows sinners the way.
He guides the humble to justice,
he teaches the humble his way.
R. Teach me your ways, O Lord.
GospelMT 21:23-27
When Jesus had come
into the temple area,
the chief priests and the elders of the people approached him
as he was teaching and said,
“By what authority are you doing these things?
And who gave you this authority?”
Jesus said to them in reply,
“I shall ask you one question, and if you answer it for me,
then I shall tell you by what authority I do these things.
Where was John’s baptism from?
Was it of heavenly or of human origin?”
They discussed this among themselves and said,
“If we say ‘Of heavenly origin,’ he will say to us,
‘Then why did you not believe him?’
But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ we fear the crowd,
for they all regard John as a prophet.”
So they said to Jesus in reply, “We do not know.”
He himself said to them,
“Neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things.”
the chief priests and the elders of the people approached him
as he was teaching and said,
“By what authority are you doing these things?
And who gave you this authority?”
Jesus said to them in reply,
“I shall ask you one question, and if you answer it for me,
then I shall tell you by what authority I do these things.
Where was John’s baptism from?
Was it of heavenly or of human origin?”
They discussed this among themselves and said,
“If we say ‘Of heavenly origin,’ he will say to us,
‘Then why did you not believe him?’
But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ we fear the crowd,
for they all regard John as a prophet.”
So they said to Jesus in reply, “We do not know.”
He himself said to them,
“Neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things.”
Meditation: "The
baptism of John, whence was it? From heaven or from men?"
Are you willing to take a stand for the truth, even when it
might cost you personally because of opposition or disapproval from others?
When we fear the disapproval or rejection of our friends we are tempted to be
evasive and to bluff our way to avoid confrontation or trouble. Jesus told his
disciples that the truth would make them free - free to think
and act according to what they know is right, honest, and good, rather than
yield to deception, lies, and evil (John 8:32).
When the Israelites began to enter the promised land, after
their wilderness sojourn of forty years, they met stiff resistance and
opposition from the people around them. Balak, one of the local rulers in
Canaan, employed the services of Balaam, a prophet of Baal, to put a curse upon
the Israelites. Balak wanted to scare the Israelites away through fear and ill
omen. Balaam, however, prophesied blessing and protection to the Israelites
rather than cursing and destruction. He yielded to the Spirit of truth rather
than to the spirit of falsehood. He spoke the word of God contrary to the words
which King Balak wanted him to speak. Balaam even prophesied that a star would
one day announce the coming of the Messiah King from the house of Jacob. This
king would destroy all the enemies of God's people and establish a kingdom of
peace (Numbers 24:17).
When the prophet John the Baptist began to preach a message of
repentance in preparation for the coming of the Messiah, the religious leaders
and rulers in Palestine resisted his word and persecuted him as well. Jesus met
resistance, opposition, and fierce hostility from the religious rulers as well.
Why did the religious leaders oppose Jesus and reject his claim to divine
authority? Their view of religion did not match with God's word because their
hearts were set on personal gain rather than truth and submission to God's plan
and design for their lives. They openly questioned Jesus to discredit his claim
to be the Messiah. If Jesus says his authority is divine they will charge him
with blasphemy. If he has done this on his own authority they might well arrest
him as a mad zealot before he could do more damage. Jesus, seeing through their
trap, poses a question to them and makes their answer a condition for his
answer. Did they accept the work of John the Baptist as divine or human? If
they accepted John's work as divine, they would be compelled to accept Jesus as
the Messiah. They dodged the question because they were unwilling to face the
truth. They did not accept the Baptist and they would not accept Jesus as their
Messiah.
The coming of God's kingdom or reign on the earth inevitably
leads to conflict – a conflict of allegiance to God's will or my will, God's
justice or the world's way of playing fair, God's standard of absolute moral
truth or truth relative to what I want to believe is good and useful for the
time being. How do you respond to Jesus' claim to be not only the Messiah, but
the source of everlasting life and truth as well? Do you submit to his word and
stake your life on the coming of his kingdom? Jesus promises that those who
seek to live according to God's truth will find true joy, freedom, and
happiness both now and forever.
"Lord Jesus Christ, you are the Way, the Truth, and the
Life. Let your light shine in my heart and in my mind that I may grow in
understanding the truth of your word and find joy and freedom in living
according to it."
My Present for Jesus? A Heart Filled with Love |
Monday of the Third
Week of Advent
|
Father James
Swanson, LC
Matthew 21:23-27
When Jesus had come into the temple area,
the chief priests and the elders of the people approached him as he was
teaching and said, “By what authority are you doing these things? And who
gave you this authority?” Jesus said to them in reply, “I shall ask you one
question, and if you answer it for me, then I shall tell you by what
authority I do these things. Where was John’s baptism from? Was it of heavenly
or of human origin?” They discussed this among themselves and said, “If we
say ‘Of heavenly origin,’ he will say to us, ‘Then why did you not believe
him?’ But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ we fear the crowd, for they all
regard John as a prophet.” So they said to Jesus in reply, “We do not know.”
He himself said to them, “Neither shall I tell you by what authority I do
these things.”
Introductory Prayer: Lord, I believe in you, but not just with
the assent of my mind. Since I believe in you, I commit my whole life into
your loving hands. I know that you cannot deceive me or let me down, because
you are goodness and mercy itself. I humbly offer you my love. Though I know
it is so weak, I am certain, nevertheless, that my desire to love you more is
pleasing to you.
Petition: Lord, help me to grow in my faith.
1. A Faith That Manifests Itself in
Deeds: We are preparing for
the coming of Jesus. Where does he come from? What is his origin? Like the
Pharisees, many people today try to dodge this uncomfortable question. If we
asked them right out, “Do you believe?” They might very well say, “Yes.” But
their lives tell another story. They don’t do anything, or at best, they do
the minimum to follow Jesus. If Jesus were only a human being, it would be
fine to follow him half-heartedly, accommodating what he taught in order to
make it more suitable to ourselves. But if he is really sent by God, then
none of us has the authority to change or water down anything he taught. Our
lives should be a clear reflection of everything Jesus taught, insofar as we
know his teachings and are capable of putting them into practice. Is that
what my life shows? Does it clearly witness to my belief that Jesus is from
heaven—that he was sent by God?
2. A Faith That Comes From the Heart: The way the Pharisees followed the Law
seemed to be faultless, or at least it seemed much closer to being faultless
than the lives of the other Jews. The Pharisees even went so far as to add
many rules of their own to make sure they never even came close to breaking
the rules God gave the Jewish People. It would seem that their lives did give
testimony to their firm belief in the Messiah. Yet, when the Messiah
appeared, they missed out. They didn’t recognize him. What happened? While
their lives gave testimony to their beliefs, their hearts were not filled
with the necessary love for God. They were unable to recognize the Messiah;
rather, they were filled with self-love. They did the right things for the
wrong reasons — selfishness, or seeking the esteem of others. In short, they
had the wrong attitude. Is this my kind of Christianity? Do I act
“correctly,” but out of selfishness or some other unworthy motive?
3. A Faith That Grows Stronger at Mary’s
Side: To prepare well for
Christ’s coming I would do well to ask Mary for her help. She prepared
herself for nine months for the first coming of Jesus, and she did an
excellent job. She can help me. If I haven’t asked her for her help yet this
Advent, there is still time to do so.
Conversation with Christ: Jesus, I am sorry for the poor way I put my
faith into practice. I am even sorrier that when I do act in accordance with
your teachings, all too often my attitude is wrong. I don’t practice your
teachings according to love for you, but according to my selfishness, concern
for the approval of others or comfort. Help me to correct my attitude; help
me to live with more love each day; help me to imitate more closely the way
of life you taught me by your words and example.
Resolution: I will examine my attitudes to see if my
actions really do speak of love for Christ, or if my own interests are ruling
my life. Then, during the day I will choose something that is hard for me and
try to do it well and out of love for Jesus Christ.
|
MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, MATTHEW 21:23-27
(Numbers 24:2-7, 15-17a; Psalm 25)
KEY VERSE: "Neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things" (v 27).
READING: When Jesus entered the Temple Precincts, he saw merchants who were changing unsuitable currency into the correct currency to pay the Temple tax of one half-shekel, and for purchasing animals for sacrifice. Jesus was filled with righteous anger and he cleansed the temple of its merchants and traders (Zec 14:21). The religious leaders were outraged and they demanded to know on whose authority he acted. Knowing that his opponents were accusing him of blasphemy, Jesus counter-questioned them. He asked where John got his authority to baptize. Was it of divine or human origin? This posed a dilemma for the religious leaders. If they said John's work was merely human, the people would be disturbed as they considered John to be a prophet. If they said John's work was by divine authority, then why had they opposed him, and why did they now oppose Jesus? Because they refused to answer, they abdicated their position as teachers. Jesus is the true interpreter of God's law.
REFLECTING: Do I avoid speaking the truth on controversial issues for fear of rejection?
PRAYING: Lord Jesus, help me to cleanse my inner temple of anything that is not of you.
(Numbers 24:2-7, 15-17a; Psalm 25)
KEY VERSE: "Neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things" (v 27).
READING: When Jesus entered the Temple Precincts, he saw merchants who were changing unsuitable currency into the correct currency to pay the Temple tax of one half-shekel, and for purchasing animals for sacrifice. Jesus was filled with righteous anger and he cleansed the temple of its merchants and traders (Zec 14:21). The religious leaders were outraged and they demanded to know on whose authority he acted. Knowing that his opponents were accusing him of blasphemy, Jesus counter-questioned them. He asked where John got his authority to baptize. Was it of divine or human origin? This posed a dilemma for the religious leaders. If they said John's work was merely human, the people would be disturbed as they considered John to be a prophet. If they said John's work was by divine authority, then why had they opposed him, and why did they now oppose Jesus? Because they refused to answer, they abdicated their position as teachers. Jesus is the true interpreter of God's law.
REFLECTING: Do I avoid speaking the truth on controversial issues for fear of rejection?
PRAYING: Lord Jesus, help me to cleanse my inner temple of anything that is not of you.
LAS POSADAS
Las posadas means "the inns" in Spanish. The holiday is a preparation for La Navidad (Christmas) in Mexico and some Central American countries. The celebration takes place for nine nights, from December 16th to 24th commemorating Joseph and Mary's journey to Bethlehem and their search for shelter prior to the birth of Jesus. Processions stop at homes along the route, where participants request "posada" (lodging) through song - only to be turned away at all but the final site. Between each stop, the pilgrims (some costumed to represent Joseph and Mary) sing carols and pray the rosary. When they are finally given posada, they celebrate by breaking candy-filled pinatas and eating delicacies. Las Posadas has transcended its cultural roots among Latinos of diverse backgrounds and other nationalities.
Las posadas means "the inns" in Spanish. The holiday is a preparation for La Navidad (Christmas) in Mexico and some Central American countries. The celebration takes place for nine nights, from December 16th to 24th commemorating Joseph and Mary's journey to Bethlehem and their search for shelter prior to the birth of Jesus. Processions stop at homes along the route, where participants request "posada" (lodging) through song - only to be turned away at all but the final site. Between each stop, the pilgrims (some costumed to represent Joseph and Mary) sing carols and pray the rosary. When they are finally given posada, they celebrate by breaking candy-filled pinatas and eating delicacies. Las Posadas has transcended its cultural roots among Latinos of diverse backgrounds and other nationalities.
THE O ANTIPHONS - December 17-23
The “O Antiphons” refer to the seven antiphons that are recited during Advent in the Octave before Christmas, Dec. 17-23, with Dec. 24 being Christmas Eve. Each one highlights a title for the Messiah according to the prophet Isaiah: O Sapientia (O Wisdom), O Adonai (O Lord), O Radix Jesse (O Root of Jesse), O Clavis David (O Key of David), O Oriens (O Rising Sun), O Rex Gentium (O King of the Nations), and O Emmanuel.
The “O Antiphons” refer to the seven antiphons that are recited during Advent in the Octave before Christmas, Dec. 17-23, with Dec. 24 being Christmas Eve. Each one highlights a title for the Messiah according to the prophet Isaiah: O Sapientia (O Wisdom), O Adonai (O Lord), O Radix Jesse (O Root of Jesse), O Clavis David (O Key of David), O Oriens (O Rising Sun), O Rex Gentium (O King of the Nations), and O Emmanuel.
Teach me your ways, O Lord
Teach me know your ways, O Lord.Dear Lord, the Pharisees sound just like politicians in this gospel as they weigh up the likely results of their alternative answers to your question. Is this how we think when we read your words and listen to you in our hearts? Are we calculating as to what is in it for us or do we slosh water generously from the buckets of our hearts on to seeds so as to help them grow to spread your words? Help us to have open, uncalculating hearts which humbly follow you and search for your truth. We need your loving help on every step of our way. Help us to question those in authority, as we search for your truth, and to be open-minded critics of their answers.
December 16
Blessed Honoratus Kozminski
(1825-1916)
Blessed Honoratus Kozminski
(1825-1916)
He was born in Biala Podlaska (Siedlce, Poland) and studied
architecture at the School of Fine Arts in Warsaw. When Wenceslaus was almost
16, his father died. Suspected of participating in a rebellious conspiracy, the
young man was imprisoned from April 1846 until the following March. In 1848 he
received the Capuchin habit and a new name. Four years later he was ordained.
In 1855 he helped Blessed Mary Angela Truszkowska establish the Felician
Sisters.
Honoratus
served as guardian in a Warsaw friary already in 1860. He dedicated his
energies to preaching, to giving spiritual direction and to hearing
confessions. He worked tirelessly with the Secular Franciscan Order.
The
failed 1864 revolt against Czar Alexander III led to the suppression of all
religious Orders in Poland. The Capuchins were expelled from Warsaw and forced
to live in Zakroczym, where Honoratus continued his ministry and began founding
26 male and female religious congregations, whose members took vows but wore no
religious habit and did not live in community. They operated much as today’s
secular institutes do. Seventeen of these groups still exist as religious
congregations.
The
writings of Father Honoratus are extensive: 42 volumes of sermons, 21
volumes of letters as well as 52 printed works on ascetical theology, Marian
devotion, historical writings, pastoral writings — not counting his many
writings for the religious congregations he founded.
In 1906,
various bishops sought the reorganization of these groups under their
authority; Honoratus defended their independence but was removed from their
direction in 1908. He promptly urged the members of these congregations to obey
the Church’s decisions regarding their future.
He
“always walked with God,” said a contemporary. In 1895 he was appointed
Commissary General of the Capuchins in Poland. Three years before he had come
to Nowe Miasto, where he died and was buried. He was beatified in 1988.
Comment:
The story is told that Francis and Brother Leo, his secretary, were once on a journey and Francis volunteered to tell Leo what perfect joy is. Francis began by saying what it was not: news that the kings of France, England, as well as all the world’s bishops and many university professors had decided to become friars, news that the friars had received the gift of tongues and miracles, or news that the friars had converted all the non-Christians in the world. No, perfect joy for them would be to arrive cold and hungry at St. Mary of the Angels, Francis’ headquarters outside Assisi, and be mistaken by the porter for thieves and beaten by the same porter and driven back into the cold and rain. Francis said that if, for the love of God, he and Leo could endure such treatment without losing their patience and charity, that would be perfect joy (cited in Regis Armstrong, O.F.M. Cap., and Ignatius Brady, O.F.M., Francis and Clare: The Complete Works, pages 165-166).
The story is told that Francis and Brother Leo, his secretary, were once on a journey and Francis volunteered to tell Leo what perfect joy is. Francis began by saying what it was not: news that the kings of France, England, as well as all the world’s bishops and many university professors had decided to become friars, news that the friars had received the gift of tongues and miracles, or news that the friars had converted all the non-Christians in the world. No, perfect joy for them would be to arrive cold and hungry at St. Mary of the Angels, Francis’ headquarters outside Assisi, and be mistaken by the porter for thieves and beaten by the same porter and driven back into the cold and rain. Francis said that if, for the love of God, he and Leo could endure such treatment without losing their patience and charity, that would be perfect joy (cited in Regis Armstrong, O.F.M. Cap., and Ignatius Brady, O.F.M., Francis and Clare: The Complete Works, pages 165-166).
Honoratus worked very
zealously to serve the Church, partly by establishing a great variety of
religious congregations adapted to the special circumstances of Poland in those
years. He could have retreated into bitterness and self-pity when the direction
of those congregations was taken away from him; that was certainly a “perfect
joy” experience. He urged the members of these groups to obey willingly and
gladly, placing their gifts at the service of the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Quote:
When the Church removed Honoratus from the direction of his religious congregations and changed their character, he wrote: “Christ’s Vicar himself has revealed God’s will to us, and I carry out this order with greatest faith.... Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that you are being given the opportunity to show heroic obedience to the holy Church.”
When the Church removed Honoratus from the direction of his religious congregations and changed their character, he wrote: “Christ’s Vicar himself has revealed God’s will to us, and I carry out this order with greatest faith.... Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that you are being given the opportunity to show heroic obedience to the holy Church.”
LECTIO DIVINA:
MATTHEW 21,23-27
Lectio:
Monday, December 16, 2013
3rd Week of Advent
1) Opening prayer
Lord our God,
in a world of injustice, war and exploitation,
in which more and more people
have the means to live
but not many reasons to live for,
you promise us a star to follow,
Jesus, your Son.
God, keep in us the hope alive
that he will come today
and that, if we are willing
to take the demands of the Gospel seriously,
we can become indeed a new people
completely renewed in Christ,
our Saviour for ever and ever.
Lord our God,
in a world of injustice, war and exploitation,
in which more and more people
have the means to live
but not many reasons to live for,
you promise us a star to follow,
Jesus, your Son.
God, keep in us the hope alive
that he will come today
and that, if we are willing
to take the demands of the Gospel seriously,
we can become indeed a new people
completely renewed in Christ,
our Saviour for ever and ever.
2) Gospel reading - Matthew 21,23-27
Jesus had gone into the Temple and was teaching, when the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him and said, 'What authority have you for acting like this? And who gave you this authority?'
In reply Jesus said to them, 'And I will ask you a question, just one; if you tell me the answer to it, then I will tell you my authority for acting like this.
John's baptism: what was its origin, heavenly or human?' And they argued this way among themselves, 'If we say heavenly, he will retort to us, "Then why did you refuse to believe him?"; but if we say human, we have the people to fear, for they all hold that John was a prophet.'
So their reply to Jesus was, 'We do not know.' And he retorted to them, 'Nor will I tell you my authority for acting like this.'
Jesus had gone into the Temple and was teaching, when the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him and said, 'What authority have you for acting like this? And who gave you this authority?'
In reply Jesus said to them, 'And I will ask you a question, just one; if you tell me the answer to it, then I will tell you my authority for acting like this.
John's baptism: what was its origin, heavenly or human?' And they argued this way among themselves, 'If we say heavenly, he will retort to us, "Then why did you refuse to believe him?"; but if we say human, we have the people to fear, for they all hold that John was a prophet.'
So their reply to Jesus was, 'We do not know.' And he retorted to them, 'Nor will I tell you my authority for acting like this.'
3) Reflection
• The Gospel today describes the conflict that Jesus had with the religious authority of the time, after that he drove out the merchants from the Temple. The priests and the elders of the people wanted to know with which authority Jesus was doing those things: to go into the Temple and drive out the merchants (cf. Mt 21, 12-13). The authority considered itself the master of all and thought that nobody could do anything without their permission. This is why they persecuted Jesus and tried to kill him. Something similar was also happening in the Christian communities of the years seventy-eighty, the time in which the Gospel of Jesus was written. Those who resisted the authority of the Empire were persecuted. There were others, so as not to be persecuted, tried to reconcile Jesus’ project, with the project of the Roman Empire (cf. Ga 6, 12). The description of the conflict of Jesus with the authority of his time was a help for the Christians, so that they could continue fearless in the persecutions and would not allow themselves to be manipulated by the ideology of the Empire. Today, also, some who exercise power, whether in society or in the Church and the family, want to control everything as if they were the masters of all the aspects of the life of the people. They even persecuted those who thought in a different way. Keeping in mind these thoughts and problems, let us read and meditate on today’s Gospel.
• Matthew 21, 23: The question of the religious authority to Jesus. “What authority have you for acting like this? And who gave you this authority?” Jesus answered: “And I will ask you a question, just one, if you tell me the answer to it, then I will tell you my authority for acting like this. John’s baptism, what was its origin, heavenly or human? Jesus went back to the Temple. When he taught, the chief priests and the elders of the people went close to him and asked: With what authority do you do these things? Who has given you this authority?” Jesus again goes around the great square of the Temple. Then appear some priests and elders to question him. After everything that Jesus had done the day before, they want to know with which authority he does these things. They did not ask which was the true reason which urged Jesus to drive out the merchants from the Temple (cf. Mt 21, 12-13). They only ask with which authority he does those things. They think that they have the right to control everything. They do not want to lose control of things.
• Matthew 21, 24-25ª: The question of Jesus to the authority. Jesus does not refuse answering, but he shows his independence and liberty and says: “I also, will ask you a question, if you tell me the answer to it, then I will tell you my authority for acting like this. John’s baptism, what was its origin, heavenly or human?” This was an intelligent question, simple as a dove and cunning as a serpent! (cf. Mt 10, 16). The question shows the lack of honesty of his enemies. For Jesus, the baptism of John came from heaven, came from God. He himself had been baptised by John (Mt 3, 13-17). The men who had power, on the contrary, had plotted or planned the death of John (Mt 14, 3-12). And in this way they showed that they did not accept the message of John and that they considered his baptism like something from men and not from God.
• Matthew 21, 25b-26: Reasoning of the authority. The priests and the elders were aware of the importance or significance of the question and reasoned in the following way: "If we say heavenly, he will retort to us. Then why did you refuse to believe him? If we answer human, then we have the people to fear, for they all hold that John was a prophet”. And therefore, so as not to expose themselves they answered: “We do not know!” This is an opportunist response, a pretence and interested one. Their only interest was not to lose their power over the people. Within themselves they had already decided everything: Jesus should be condemned to death (Mt 12, 14).
• Matthew 21, 27: Final conclusion of Jesus. And Jesus says to them: “Nor will I tell you my authority for acting like this”. Their total lack of honesty makes them unworthy to receive an answer from Jesus.
• The Gospel today describes the conflict that Jesus had with the religious authority of the time, after that he drove out the merchants from the Temple. The priests and the elders of the people wanted to know with which authority Jesus was doing those things: to go into the Temple and drive out the merchants (cf. Mt 21, 12-13). The authority considered itself the master of all and thought that nobody could do anything without their permission. This is why they persecuted Jesus and tried to kill him. Something similar was also happening in the Christian communities of the years seventy-eighty, the time in which the Gospel of Jesus was written. Those who resisted the authority of the Empire were persecuted. There were others, so as not to be persecuted, tried to reconcile Jesus’ project, with the project of the Roman Empire (cf. Ga 6, 12). The description of the conflict of Jesus with the authority of his time was a help for the Christians, so that they could continue fearless in the persecutions and would not allow themselves to be manipulated by the ideology of the Empire. Today, also, some who exercise power, whether in society or in the Church and the family, want to control everything as if they were the masters of all the aspects of the life of the people. They even persecuted those who thought in a different way. Keeping in mind these thoughts and problems, let us read and meditate on today’s Gospel.
• Matthew 21, 23: The question of the religious authority to Jesus. “What authority have you for acting like this? And who gave you this authority?” Jesus answered: “And I will ask you a question, just one, if you tell me the answer to it, then I will tell you my authority for acting like this. John’s baptism, what was its origin, heavenly or human? Jesus went back to the Temple. When he taught, the chief priests and the elders of the people went close to him and asked: With what authority do you do these things? Who has given you this authority?” Jesus again goes around the great square of the Temple. Then appear some priests and elders to question him. After everything that Jesus had done the day before, they want to know with which authority he does these things. They did not ask which was the true reason which urged Jesus to drive out the merchants from the Temple (cf. Mt 21, 12-13). They only ask with which authority he does those things. They think that they have the right to control everything. They do not want to lose control of things.
• Matthew 21, 24-25ª: The question of Jesus to the authority. Jesus does not refuse answering, but he shows his independence and liberty and says: “I also, will ask you a question, if you tell me the answer to it, then I will tell you my authority for acting like this. John’s baptism, what was its origin, heavenly or human?” This was an intelligent question, simple as a dove and cunning as a serpent! (cf. Mt 10, 16). The question shows the lack of honesty of his enemies. For Jesus, the baptism of John came from heaven, came from God. He himself had been baptised by John (Mt 3, 13-17). The men who had power, on the contrary, had plotted or planned the death of John (Mt 14, 3-12). And in this way they showed that they did not accept the message of John and that they considered his baptism like something from men and not from God.
• Matthew 21, 25b-26: Reasoning of the authority. The priests and the elders were aware of the importance or significance of the question and reasoned in the following way: "If we say heavenly, he will retort to us. Then why did you refuse to believe him? If we answer human, then we have the people to fear, for they all hold that John was a prophet”. And therefore, so as not to expose themselves they answered: “We do not know!” This is an opportunist response, a pretence and interested one. Their only interest was not to lose their power over the people. Within themselves they had already decided everything: Jesus should be condemned to death (Mt 12, 14).
• Matthew 21, 27: Final conclusion of Jesus. And Jesus says to them: “Nor will I tell you my authority for acting like this”. Their total lack of honesty makes them unworthy to receive an answer from Jesus.
4) Personal questions
• Have you ever felt that you are being controlled without any right, by the authority of the house, in work, in the Church? Which was your reaction?
• We all have some authority. Even in a conversation between two persons, each one has certain power, a certain authority. How do I use the power, how do I exercise authority: to serve and to liberate or to dominate and control?
• Have you ever felt that you are being controlled without any right, by the authority of the house, in work, in the Church? Which was your reaction?
• We all have some authority. Even in a conversation between two persons, each one has certain power, a certain authority. How do I use the power, how do I exercise authority: to serve and to liberate or to dominate and control?
5) Concluding prayer
Direct me in your ways, Yahweh,
and teach me your paths.
Encourage me to walk in your truth
and teach me since you are the God who saves me. (Sal 25,4-5)
Direct me in your ways, Yahweh,
and teach me your paths.
Encourage me to walk in your truth
and teach me since you are the God who saves me. (Sal 25,4-5)
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