14th December, MondayI. Num 24: 2- 7, 15 – 17
II. Mt 21: 23 – 27
Theme: “Authority”
First reading presents a figure from the days of the Old Testament, a man named Balaam. The spirit of the Lord inspires Balaam to utter oracles or prophecies about the future of the Jewish people and the age of the messiah. We hear Balaam declares that a star shall advice from Jacob, and a staff shall rise from Israel. The terms star and staff are symbols for the royal power of a king.
In the gospel reading we see that, the view of priests and the elders, Jesus did not have any rabbinical education to make Him fit to teach in the temple. But they were totally wrong because Jesus had these authorities in His own right. Jesus is Truth, and he came to teach truth and turn people from falsehood to truth. Therefore, he had authority to teach in the temple. Moreover, the temple is His dwelling place and so he has the authority to drive away those who desecrated the temple. Though they questioned the authority of Jesus, they were fully aware that Jesus was teaching the truth and that Jesus had truth against which they could not bring any valid evidence. Hearing the truth Jesus preached and their conscience pricked. To silence that conscience, they called Jesus a blasphemer. Jesus did not want to enter into an argument with them. So, He did not give them any direct answer. Moreover, He did not to give them any proof for his authority. Instead, He wanted them to say what they thought of John’s authority. When John accused them of their misuse of authority, it had hurt their conscience. Yet they did not take any appropriate action to correct themselves for fear of losing their power, respect and comfort, which were more important for them than saying truth about them. Today gospel tells us to examine ourselves that how faithful and truthful am I in my duty and responsibility.
Bro. Prakash Horo
II BTh