Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint 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.”
There’s always a hitch
1. The Temple. Cultivating a life of prayer is essential. I want to emphasize this because taking time for prayer or spending even a moment alone with Jesus in church, truly matters. Even if it’s just a short visit, those few moments can bring great comfort to your heart. I understand life moves quickly and we’re often busy, but even a quick stop to greet Christ in the Eucharist can make a difference. If you’re able, spend a short while in silent reflection, saying nothing. You’ll notice how God’s love finds its way deep into your heart.
2. Authority. Jesus teaches through consistency, coherence and experience. These are qualities we should strive to develop. I often find consistency difficult, but it’s something worth pursuing, as it gives real significance to our words. Parents will relate to this: you can tell your children countless things, but what they observe in your actions leaves a lasting impression. As a priest, this rings especially true for me.
3. Astuteness. Jesus is brilliant. He displays remarkable wisdom in handling every situation. We, too, need to be thoughtful and discerning—especially today, when being a Christian, a catechist, or someone consecrated often attracts criticism. Practice patience instead of reacting with anger. Be shrewd and perceptive, listen carefully, and know when to remain silent. For example, when I recently met up with my soccer friends, the conversation turned to questions and jokes about the Church. I responded to some comments with clear, logical answers, laughed along with some jokes, even making some jokes myself, and chose silence at times when responding would be pointless. By the end, everyone felt good. So, resist the urge to complain or get angry immediately. It won’t help. Learn to be discerning and astute.
Remember that something good is on the way!
God bless you, be with you and protect you in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
