ADVENT Gospel for Monday, December 16 Fourth Week of Advent

Matt 11:16-19

When he 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?”o24Jesus 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.25Where 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?’26* p But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ we fear the crowd, for they all regard John as a prophet.”27So 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

Is it me or does it sound like Jesus is giving the chief priests and elders the infamous; “Because I said so.” response that many adults and teachers find themselves saying when pestered with questions and doubts?

We have come to enjoy the close relationship that Jesus has brought us into with his Father by becoming incarnate and sacrificing himself for our sins. And, with this closeness might come a little familiarity and some feelings of entitlement that do not belong. Perhaps we expect to have the answers to everything we ask because we are “sons and daughters” and “no longer slaves but friends”.

Jesus came to give us the Truth. But He also said, “no one knows the Father except the Son and whoever the Son wishes to reveal him to”. Luke 10:12.

In this season of Advent, we pursue and celebrate mysteries surrounding a virgin birth and a God who becomes man by being born in a manger. If these were not deep mysteries well beyond our grasp would the season be as joyful? Indeed, mystery holds an important place in our faith.

This Advent may we learn from Matthew’s Gospel to lead with humility and celebrate the mysteries that surround this season.

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