Answering Jesus

Greetings on this the Monday of the Third Week of Advent
Readings: Numbers 24:2-7, 15-17a; Psalm 25:4-5ab, 6 and 7bc, 8-9; Matthew 21:23-27

Summary

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 (Mt 21:23-27).

Since through embarrassment on the one hand and fear on the other the religious authorities claim ignorance of the origin of John’s baptism, they show themselves incapable of speaking with authority; hence Jesus refuses to discuss with them the grounds of his authority (NABRE Commentary).

Reflection

This is a common problem in every age.
People who claim leadership but possess neither the competence nor the personal ethics to speak with clarity and honest.

Jesus refuses to go down the rabbit hole as we say these days. Sometimes described as ‘losing the plot’ or ‘getting lost in the weeds’.

When entitlement replaces truth,
when fear replaces conviction,
and when reputation replaces integrity,
conversation becomes impossible.

So instead, Jesus points us back to the essentials.

• Truth
• Kindness
• Compassion
• Justice

Our psalmist names them clearly.
(from Psalm 25:4-5ab, 6 and 7bc, 8-9)

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.

Personal Reflection

Show us, LORD, your love, and grant us your salvation (PS 85:8).

Jesus asks us to think and decide.

Is John the Baptist from God?

Even if the question feels difficult, we must not avoid its truth—as the leaders did—because they could not bear to enter into any part of it.

So we pray:

Lord, remember us in your compassion.
Lord, teach us truth and a good path.
Lord, show us the way and make us be humble and seek justice.
Show us, LORD, your love, and grant us your salvation.

This is a good answer to Jesus.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121525.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry