THE WORD BECAME FLESH

Tuesday of Ninth Week in Ordinary Time, 2021

Tobit 2:9-14

Ps 112

Mark 12:13-17

We do not know

Dear friends in Christ, in a world where so many people pretend to be what they are not, for the purpose of making some gains, how easy is it to say, ‘I do not know.’ It might take a great courage to sincerely admit you do not know, for ‘he who knows not and knows that he knows not,’ is the one who can learn. But it is also possible that someone will say, ‘I do not know,’ as a denial of what he knows. That is a case of insincerity.

Today’s Gospel (Mark 11:27-33) presents a situation in which after the cleansing of the temple, a confrontation that clearly angered the Sadducees, and the chief priests and the scribes, they were now looking for a way to trap Jesus. So the chief priests and the scribes and the elders came to him to ask, “By what authority are you doing these things, or who gave you this authority to do them?” Cleverly however, Jesus decided to test their sincerity by saying, “I will ask you a question, answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. Was the Baptism of John from heaven or from men? Answer me.” This question threw them into confusion and they returned to say, “We do not know.” They feigned ignorance after they weighed their options. “If we say, ‘From Heaven,’ he will say, ‘why then did you not believe him’ but shall we say, ‘from men?’ They were afraid of the people, for all held that John was a real prophet.”

John was considered a true prophet by the people, yet he was imprisoned and beheaded by Herod. Jesus calls their attention to this to confront them with the fact that, they are not really interested in the will of God. They have turned religion into a money making machine and anything goes. Whatever satisfies their quest for power and wealth is deemed alright, even when it involves sacrificing prophets.

There are still many people today who behave like those elders and scribes, who oppose even good things out of jealousy, or for reason they are unable to make personal gains from there. Be sure you are not one of such. Like Jesus, there are times when you have to face the difficult moments of life. There are times when you have to bear such oppositions. The opposition may be at home, it may be in the office, or even your place of worship. Do so with faith and courage knowing that your help comes from the Lord. Do not be afraid of those who hate you for doing what is right. Commit them to the Lord in prayer but remain firm and committed to the truth.

Let us pray: Lord bless us as we walk in your path. Keep us committed to the truth of the Gospel at all times. Amen.

+Remain blessed