GOD’S WORD

Saturday - June 1, 2013 8th Week in Ordinary Time Justin Psalter: Week 4 Ps 19:8, 9, 10, 11

The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart. 1st Reading: Sir 51:12cd–20

That is why I will give you thanks and praise and bless the Name of the Lord.

In my youth, before I set out on my travels, I openly sought wisdom in prayer; before the Temple I asked for her and I will pursue her to the end of my days.

While she blossomed like a ripening cluster, my heart was delighted in her; my feet followed the right path, because from my youth I searched for her.

As soon as I began listening to her she was given to me, and with her, much instruction.

With her help I made progress and I will glorify him who gives me wisdom, for I decided to put it into practice and ardently seek what is good. I shall not regret it.

My soul has struggled to possess her. I have been attentive to observe the Law, and after my faults I have stretched out my hands to heaven and lamented my ignorance of her.

My love of her increased and I found her in repentance. It was through her from the beginning that I learned to possess my heart. She will not forsake me. Gospel: Mk 11:27-33

Jesus and his disciples were once again in Jerusalem. As Je- sus was walking in the Temple, the chief priests, the teachers of the Law and the elders came to him and asked, “What authority do you have to act like this? Who gave you authority to do the things you do?”

Jesus said to them, “I will ask you a question, only one, and if you give me an answer, then I will tell you what authority I have to act like this. Was John’s preaching and baptism a work of God, or was it merely something human? Answer me.”

And they kept arguing among themselves, “If we answer that it was a work of God, he will say: ‘Why then did you not believe him?’” But neither could they answer before the people that the baptism of John was merely something human, for everyone regarded John as a prophet. So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know,” and Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you what authority I have to act as I do.” Reflection:

It wasn’t the truth of Jesus’s authority that the chief priests, the teachers of the Law, and the elders were concerned about. They were exclusively concerned about protecting their own life and privileges. Jesus was a threat for their status and power; hence they were merely looking for a chance to humiliate him in public and find reasons to get rid of him. This is also evident from the way they chose not to answer Jesus’s question on the baptism of John. They were not concerned about the truth of John’s baptism; they just didn’t want to have their boat rocked. Because they did not care for the truth, they didn’t deserve the truth either; hence Jesus would not give it to them.

What is my approach to Truth? Am I willing to risk my security by upholding the Truth?