Jesus is often verbally jousting with “the chief priests and elders,” but why? He has come to save them too, but they refuse to humble themselves or let go of their authority or open themselves to the truth. And so, in today’s Gospel, as this group questions him about his own authority in turning over tables in the temple, Jesus agrees to answer their question IF they will answer one question from Him. This question is a test. A test of what? A test of their sincerity.
Jesus will only answer them on the one condition that they sincerely want to receive His answer. But they do not. They are too busy balancing the way the people will perceive them against their own self-righteousness. They are not sincerely seeking to know what is true; they are working to protect their own position. They refuse to answer Jesus’ question, and so Jesus refuses to answer theirs. It is Wisdom in action. Divine wisdom acting powerfully against human “wisdom.”
Today’s Responsorial Psalm can be a profound examination of conscience for our own sincerity: Do we want to know the Lord’s ways and follow his paths? Are we humble enough to be guided in the truth and taught by the Savior? Do we know in our bones that the Lord shows sinners the way and guides the humble to justice? How do we understand the truth that the Lord teaches the humble his way? Are we sincerely seeking to know what is true?
As we enter the third week of Advent, how are we opening ourselves more fully and allowing ourselves to let go of all that is in us that keeps us from the complete freedom necessary to receive the great Gift of Salvation? Are we sincerely awaiting the angelic message that our Savior has come? Are our hearts like humble mangers, conscious of their emptiness of any riches and ready to receive the King of the Universe, who comes to us as a gentle Infant in the quiet of a starry night?
Jesús a menudo discute verbalmente con los sumo sacerdotes y los ancianos, pero ¿por qué? Él también vino a salvarlos, pero ellos se niegan a humillarse, a renunciar a su autoridad o a abrirse a la verdad. Así, en el Evangelio de hoy, mientras este grupo lo interroga sobre su propia autoridad para volcar las mesas en el templo, Jesús acepta responder a su pregunta si ellos responden a una pregunta suya. Esta pregunta es una prueba. ¿Una prueba de qué? Una prueba de su sinceridad.
Jesús les responderá con la única condición de que sinceramente deseen recibir su respuesta. Pero no la desean. Están demasiado ocupados balanceando la percepción que la gente tendrá de ellos con su propia autocomplacencia. No buscan sinceramente saber qué es la verdad; se esfuerzan por proteger su propia posición. Se niegan a responder la pregunta de Jesús, y por lo tanto, Jesús se niega a responder la de ellos. Es la Sabiduría en acción. La sabiduría divina actuando poderosamente contra la sabiduría humana.
El Salmo Responsorial de hoy puede ser un profundo examen de conciencia para nuestra propia sinceridad: ¿Queremos conocer los caminos del Señor y seguir sus sendas? ¿Somos lo suficientemente humildes para dejarnos guiar por la verdad y ser enseñados por el Salvador? ¿Sabemos en nuestra interior que el Señor muestra el camino a los pecadores y guía a los humildes hacia la justicia? ¿Cómo comprendemos la verdad de que el Señor enseña a los humildes su camino? ¿Buscamos sinceramente la verdad?
Al entrar en la tercera semana de Adviento, ¿cómo nos abrimos más plenamente y nos permitimos desprendernos de todo aquello en nuestro interior que nos impide la completa libertad necesaria para recibir el gran Don de la Salvación? ¿Esperamos sinceramente el mensaje angelical de la llegada de nuestro Salvador? ¿Son nuestros corazones como humildes pesebres, conscientes de su vacío de riquezas y listos para recibir al Rey del Universo, que viene a nosotros como un tierno Niño en la quietud de una noche estrellada?
Kathryn Mulderink, MA, is married to Robert, Station Manager for Holy Family Radio. Together they have seven children (including Father Rob), and eleven grandchildren. She is President of the local community of Secular Discalced Carmelites and has published five books and many articles. Over the last 30 years, she has worked as a teacher, headmistress, catechist, Pastoral Associate, and DRE, and as a writer and voice talent for Catholic Radio. Currently, she serves the Church by writing and speaking, and by collaborating with various parishes and to lead others to encounter Christ and engage their faith. Her website is www.KathrynTherese.com
Feature Image Credit: Jon Carlson, unsplash.com/photos/a-chair-with-a-table-and-lights-nXow0r783Gg
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