Monday of the Third Week of Advent, 12 December, 2022

 

Mt 21:23-27 

When he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to 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, “I will also ask you one question; if you tell me the answer, then I will also tell you by what authority I do these things.  Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?” And they argued with one another, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’  But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ we are afraid of the crowd; for all regard John as a prophet.”  So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.

Reflections:

The theme of today's  Gospel is authority. In fact the Jews want proof of the messianic authority of Jesus are asking Jesus.  Authority does not imply power to control or manipulate the lives of others. In fact Christian authority is a responsibility to release the potential in others, and empower others. Jesus, is the model for this. He came to serve instead of demanding honour and service. He invited people to follow him. He came to give life, life in its fullness. He came to lead people into the full development of all they could be and were meant to be. 

Activity:

Am I  open to the  mystery of GOD. Have I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Saviour?