Sunday, December 15, 2024

16-DEC-'24, Monday of the Third Week of Advent


Monday of the Third Week of Advent
Lectionary: 187

Reading I
Numbers 24:2-7, 15-17a
When Balaam raised his eyes and saw Israel encamped, tribe by tribe,
    the spirit of God came upon him,
    and he gave voice to his oracle:

    The utterance of Balaam, son of Beor,
        the utterance of a man whose eye is true,
    The utterance of one who hears what God says,
        and knows what the Most High knows,
    Of one who sees what the Almighty sees,
        enraptured, and with eyes unveiled:
    How goodly are your tents, O Jacob;
        your encampments, O Israel!
    They are like gardens beside a stream,
        like the cedars planted by the LORD.
    His wells shall yield free-flowing waters,
        he shall have the sea within reach;
    His king shall rise higher,
        and his royalty shall be exalted.

Then Balaam gave voice to his oracle:

    The utterance of Balaam, son of Beor,
        the utterance of the man whose eye is true,
    The utterance of one who hears what God says,
        and knows what the Most High knows,
    Of one who sees what the Almighty sees,
        enraptured, and with eyes unveiled.
    I see him, though not now;
        I behold him, though not near:
    A star shall advance from Jacob,
        and a staff shall rise from Israel.

Responsorial Psalm
25:4-5ab, 6 and 7bc, 8-9
R.    (4) Teach me your ways, O Lord.

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.
R.    Teach me your ways, O Lord.

Alleluia
Psalm 85:8
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Show us, LORD, your love,
and grant us your salvation.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
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.”

Reflection 1
Catholic Daily Reflections 

Religious Politicians

“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.” Matthew 21:25–27

This is a perfect example of how not to live your life. But, sadly, this is too often an illustration of the way many in authority do live their lives. In this Gospel passage, we see the Pharisees acting as what we may term “religious politicians.” A religious politician is one whose religious convictions are decided in a backwards sort of way. Ideally, we will turn our eyes to Christ and all that He has revealed to us. This will produce the glorious gift of authentic faith, and from that rock foundation of faith, we act. But the Pharisees allowed their “convictions” to be based on what they perceived would produce the best outcome at the moment. They chose to say “We do not know” where John’s baptism was from because they thought it was the answer that most safeguarded them from any criticism.

As followers of Christ, we need to be ready and willing to suffer any and all ridicule that comes from living our convictions of faith in an open way. Faith will lead to charity, and charity will always be grounded in the truths of faith. But when we live and proclaim the truth, we will be criticized by some and will suffer as a result.

This Gospel offers us all an invitation to reflect upon the difficult truths of our day and age and to decide whether or not we are willing to publicly profess the truth. Think, especially, about the many moral truths of our faith that seem to be continually under attack. Are you willing to speak your faith clearly, with charity and with conviction, even if it means criticism from the world?

Reflect, today, upon the backwards approach taken by the Pharisees when they were confronted with a difficult question. Make the choice not to follow their example, choosing instead the unwavering convictions that you are called to embrace by your faith. What questions are being asked of you today? In which ways are you being tested by others? What is your approach to those tests? Do you speak more like a “religious politician?” Or do you speak with a clarity flowing from the rock foundation of your faith?

Reflection 2
One Bread, One Body 

A DESCENDING SPIRAL

“Then why did you not put faith in it?” —Matthew 21:25

Many of the chief priests and elders did not believe in St. John the Baptizer’s baptism. Thus, they were not prepared to accept Jesus. So, they crucified Him. Many people are so ignorant of history or disobedient to God that they do not take Advent seriously. Thus, they are not prepared to meet Christ at Christmastime (see Mt 2:7-8, 12). So they miss out on Christmas.

When Christmas is a far cry from what the Lord wants it to be, then many do not have God’s mindset about Christmas. Rather, they think their mediocre, watered-down Christmas is the true meaning of Christmas. With this view of Christmas, they do not expect much for the next Christmas. Therefore, they see little need for Advent, since things that do not mean much (like such a view of Christmas) do not need much preparation. Thus they have another poor Advent, leading to another substandard Christmas, leading to a poorer Advent and Christmas next year, etc.

Are you in a descending spiral of Advents and Christmases? This is very bad for your life, death, and afterlife. Throw your heart into Advent now before you miss out on Christmas again.

Prayer:  Father, give me Your level of Advent.

Promise:  “A Star shall advance from Jacob, and a Staff shall rise from Israel.” —Nm 24:17

Praise:  Karen resolved to pray for the Pope and bishops rather than criticize them.

Reflection 3
Shared from Daily Liturgy

Today’s Gospel passage we have to read in the context of the act of cleansing the Temple. They are questioning his authority. Probably the known authorities appointed by human beings are being threatened by the authority of Jesus. The answer of Jesus is a counter question about the commission of John the Baptist. If they admit John’s divine commission they convict themselves of unbelief, and if they deny it, they risk inciting mob anger. The refusal of Jesus to answer the question about his own commission is a tacit rejection of the authority of the questioners. Their incompetency to answer the question of Jesus shows that they are not capable to discern true and false prophets. What is the measure of my judgement? Is it partial or impartial?           
Prayers
My Lord of all truth, give me the grace I need to stand firm on all that You have revealed to me. Give me courage to remain firm in the convictions of faith that have been given to me by You. May I proclaim this faith to all whom I encounter so that I can be an instrument of Your love and mercy to the world. Jesus, I trust in You.

Lord Jesus Christ, you are the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Let your light shine in my heart and in my mind that I may grow in understanding the truth of your word and find joy and freedom in living according to it.

Daily Reflections on Divine Mercy

Reflection 350: Beauty in Adoration
The world is beautiful and reveals the beauty of God, but spiritual realities, such as the Holy Eucharist, are far more beautiful.  To see the beauty of God, present in the Most Holy Eucharist, you need eyes of faith.  One of the best ways to sharpen your vision of this beauty is through adoration.  Though receiving Holy Communion must be the ultimate union we experience with our Lord, adoration of Him, present in the Sacred Host, prepares you for this encounter by revealing His beauty.  Seek to adore Him exposed in the monstrance on the altar and let the eyes of your soul become enthralled by His beauty (See Diary #1692).

Do you ever participate in adoration of the Most Holy Eucharist?  If you have adoration regularly at your church, you are blessed.  If not, seek it out at a nearby church.  Adoration feeds your soul and reveals to you the beauty of God.  Reflect upon your experience of Eucharistic adoration and recommit yourself to a wholehearted participation in this glorious act.

Lord, I adore You with the most profound adoration as You are present before me in the Most Holy Eucharist.  I love You and seek to know Your hidden beauty and splendor.  You are glorious, dear Lord.  As I behold Your glory, draw me ever deeper into Your perfect Heart of Mercy.  Jesus, I trust in You.

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