THE WORD BECAME FLESH

Monday of the third week of Advent, 2022

Numb 24:2-7.15-17

(Ps) Judith 13:18bcde, 19

Matt 21:23-27

Our Lady of Guadalupe

We do not know…

Dear friends in Christ, there are times when people ask questions about the source of what we do. There are times when they even ask, and often ignorantly, ‘where is it in the bible?’ concerning some of the things we do in the church; even when the bible itself reveals that not everything done by Jesus in the short period of his ministry can be recorded. (John 21:25) The memorial of Our Lady of Guadalupe on this day, celebrates the appearance of the Blessed Virgin Mary to an Indian convert, Juan Diego, and in the course of her appearances, left a picture of herself imprinted upon his cloak. She is venerated as the Patroness of the Americas.

Our first reading today (Numb 24:2-7.15-17) concerns the journey of the people towards the Promised Land. While trekking across the desert, they came to the territory of Balak who tried to destroy them by calling a seer Balaam, to assist him in this evil course, by placing a curse on the Israelites. Balaam however prophesied a wonderful future for Israel. “O Israel, Like valleys that stretch afar, like gardens beside a river, like aloes that the Lord has planted…Water shall flow from its buckets, and his seed shall be in many glasses of water, his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted.” What should have been a curse turned out to be a blessing for the Israelites? Balaam’s favorable vision of the future also includes a star coming forth from Jacob to take the lead. “I see him but not now; I behold him but not near: A star shall come forth out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel.” This star is believed to be David and Jesus is the Son of David. It was possible for Balaam to stay neutral but took a stand for the truth.

The Gospel (Matt 21:23-27) is about a question the chief priests and the elders of the people put to Jesus, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you the authority.” Ordinarily, those who are questioning Jesus this way, are the same leaders, who have been teaching the people the traditions of Israel, which included the expectation of the Messiah. Cleverly, however, Jesus put them to the test by questioning them on the ministry of John the Baptist.  “The Baptism of John, where was it from? From heaven or men?” With that, they were thrown off balance. Whichever way they answer, they will have another question to attend to. Those who deliberately close their minds to the truth, face the same dilemma. ‘We do not know,’ is not a good enough answer. You must take a stand on the side of truth. There are times when being, or playing neutral, could be a sin. Stand on the side of the truth. They knew John’s baptism and ministry were divine but for their selfish reasons would not accept it. Do you do the same?

Let us pray: Remember your compassion O Lord and your merciful love and grant us the grace to stand always by the truth. Amen.

+Remain blessed