December 13, 2021 Monday of the Third Week of Advent

2021년 12월13일 대림 제3주간 월요일

오늘의 복음 : http://info.catholic.or.kr/missa/default.asp

제1독서 

<야곱에게서 별 하나가 솟는다.>

민수기 24,2-7.15-17
그 무렵 2 발라암은 눈을 들어 지파별로 자리 잡은 이스라엘을 보았다.
그때에 하느님의 영이 그에게 내렸다.
3 그리하여 그는 신탁을 선포하였다.
“브오르의 아들 발라암의 말이다.
열린 눈을 가진 사람의 말이며 4 하느님의 말씀을 듣는 이의 말이다.
전능하신 분의 환시를 보고 쓰러지지만 눈은 뜨이게 된다.
5 야곱아, 너의 천막들이,
이스라엘아, 너의 거처가 어찌 그리 좋으냐!
6 골짜기처럼 뻗어 있고 강가의 동산 같구나.
주님께서 심으신 침향나무 같고 물가의 향백나무 같구나.
7 그의 물통에서는 물이 넘치고 그의 씨는 물을 흠뻑 먹으리라.
그들의 임금은 아각보다 뛰어나고 그들의 왕국은 위세를 떨치리라.”
15 그러고 나서 그는 신탁을 선포하였다.
“브오르의 아들 발라암의 말이다.
열린 눈을 가진 사람의 말이며
16 하느님의 말씀을 듣고 지극히 높으신 분의 지식을 아는 이의 말이다.
전능하신 분의 환시를 보고 쓰러지지만 눈은 뜨이게 된다.
17 나는 한 모습을 본다. 그러나 지금은 아니다.
나는 그를 바라본다. 그러나 가깝지는 않다.
야곱에게서 별 하나가 솟고 이스라엘에게서 왕홀이 일어난다.
그는 모압의 관자놀이를, 셋의 모든 자손의 정수리를 부수리라.”

 

복음

<요한의 세례가 어디에서 온 것이냐?>
마태오  21,23-27
 23 예수님께서 성전에 가서 가르치고 계실 때,

수석 사제들과 백성의 원로들이 예수님께 다가와 말하였다.
“당신은 무슨 권한으로 이런 일을 하는 것이오?
그리고 누가 당신에게 이런 권한을 주었소?”
24 그러자 예수님께서 말씀하셨다. “나도 너희에게 한 가지 묻겠다.
너희가 나에게 대답하면,
나도 무슨 권한으로 이런 일을 하는지 너희에게 말해 주겠다.
25 요한의 세례가 어디에서 온 것이냐? 하늘에서냐, 아니면 사람에게서냐?”
그들은 저희끼리 의논하였다.
“‘하늘에서 왔다.’ 하면,
‘어찌하여 그를 믿지 않았느냐?’ 하고 우리에게 말할 것이오.
26 그렇다고 ‘사람에게서 왔다.’ 하자니 군중이 두렵소.
그들이 모두 요한을 예언자로 여기니 말이오.”
27 그래서 그들이 예수님께 “모르겠소.” 하고 대답하였다.
그러자 예수님께서 그들에게 말씀하셨다.
“나도 무슨 권한으로 이런 일을 하는지 너희에게 말하지 않겠다.”

December 13, 2021

  Monday of the Third Week of Advent 

Daily Readings — Audio

Daily Reflections — Video

http://www.usccb.org/bible/ 

Daily Mass : http://www.catholictv.com/shows/daily-mass 

 

Reading 1

Nm 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

Ps 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.

 

Gospel

Mt 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.”

http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html

 The responsorial psalm for today immediately got my attention as I first reviewed the readings. Such a simple request: Teach me your ways, O Lord.  Yet, in many aspects this simple request becomes the mantra for a life that is dedicated to living as we were intended.

As a cradle Catholic and educated with the Baltimore Catechism, my prayers growing up were the “usual” using the printed words.  As I grew up, I gradually felt comfortable to add my needs and concerns to these printed words and to embellish with what was on my heart. I’m sure that changes brought forth by the Second Ecumenical Council encouraged this perspective for me.  I was hearing so much more in the language I understand.  And . . . I wanted to read/hear more. My heart was open to ask (certainly not this eloquently):

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.

It seems that we are constantly bombarded with things, events, and, even, people that detour us from that path that is the Truth and the Way. It is so easy to follow the road that leads to the material aspects of life and forget the most important “things” (that usually are not things at all) along the way. 

I was curious about St. Lucy since the early martyrs always seemed to follow the “right path.” She clearly was not inclined to take the path of most young women of her time.  Rather than be married and, as a wealthy daughter, provide a sizable dowery to her new husband, she convinced her mother to donate those funds to the poor.  Needless to say it was not well received by her betrothed and the persecution began.  How does anyone find that courage to do the “right thing” no matter what the consequences?  Where does that inner strength live in each us and how do we harness it? Our psalm conveys the answer if we are willing to open our hearts and trust.

Good and upright is the LORD;
    thus he shows sinners the way.
He guides the humble to justice,
    he teaches the humble his way.

This past week, I found myself needing to have a challenging discussion. I felt it was “the right thing” to do, however difficult it may be. I always pray to my guardian angel to fortify me in these situations.  However, I had reinforcements this time – one of my friends who knew this was going to happen gave me an early Christmas present, a bracelet with the inscription: God is in her. She will not fall. It was all I could do to not tear up (as I am as I write this).  I immediately put it on!  The card that came with it was all I needed – then and in any situation I will face:

Wear this band as your reminder that you are never alone.
Let these words reassure you and echo in your soul that God is always with you.
His love will fill your heart.  If you leap, He will catch you.  

With God at your side, you will not fall. You are supported and protected in all that you do.

Of course, a song for your continued reflection:
Less like me – Zach Williams   

*** By the way, the discussion went amazingly well.  Better than I could have expected!!  God Wink - AGAIN!! ***

 http://www.presentationministries.com/obob/obob.asp

 

“WHAT IS TRUTH?” (SEE JN 18:38)

They thought to themselves, ‘If we say “divine,” He will ask us, “Then why did you not put faith in it?” ’ ” —Matthew 21:25

It is evident from their answer to Jesus that the chief priests were not interested in God’s truth. Even Balaam, a pagan, mercenary seer, was interested in what God said (Nm 24:13). The chief priests would not speak on behalf of God (Mt 21:27).

God made Balaam speak a word of blessing, even though Balaam was paid to speak curses (Nm 23:25-26). God used Balaam for the good of His plan. Ultimately, even the chief priests who would not answer Jesus worked unwittingly to further God’s plan (Mt 21:28-32).

God can work through us or despite us. Let us abandon ourselves to God’s will so that He will work mightily through us rather than work mightily despite us. So, unlike the chief priests, who spoke only what was expedient politically rather than what was on their hearts, let us say “Yes” when we mean “Yes” and “No” when we mean “No” (Mt 5:37; cf Jas 5:12).

Make Jesus the Lord of your speech, your mind, and your heart (see Lk 10:27). Then speak the truth in love (Eph 4:15).

Prayer:  Father, purify my heart so that my only priority will be to live totally for Jesus.

Promise:  “Good and upright is the Lord; thus He shows sinners the way.” —Ps 25:8

Praise:  St. Lucy was martyred during the ruthless persecution of Emperor Diocletian. She dedicated her virginity to Christ. She is the patron for those suffering with eye disorders.

 http://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/readings/

 Are you willing to take a stand for the truth, even when it might cost you personally because of opposition or disapproval from others? When we fear the disapproval or rejection of our friends we are tempted to be evasive and to bluff our way to avoid confrontation or trouble. Jesus told his disciples that the truth would make them free - free to think and act according to what they know is right, honest, and good, rather than yield to deception, lies, and evil (John 8:32).

Yielding to the Spirit of truth rather than falsehood
When the Israelites began to enter the promised land, after their wilderness sojourn of forty years, they met stiff resistance and opposition from the people around them. Balak, one of the local rulers in Canaan, employed the services of Balaam, a prophet of Baal, to put a curse upon the Israelites. Balak wanted to scare the Israelites away through fear and ill omen. Balaam, however, prophesied blessing and protection to the Israelites rather than cursing and destruction. He yielded to the Spirit of truth rather than to the spirit of falsehood. He spoke the word of God contrary to the words which King Balak wanted him to speak. Balaam even prophesied that a star would one day announce the coming of the Messiah King from the house of Jacob. This king would destroy all the enemies of God's people and establish a kingdom of peace (Numbers 24:17).

When the prophet John the Baptist began to preach a message of repentance in preparation for the coming of the Messiah, the religious leaders and rulers in Palestine resisted his word and persecuted him as well. Jesus met resistance, opposition, and fierce hostility from the religious rulers as well. Why did the religious leaders oppose Jesus and reject his claim to divine authority? Their view of religion did not match with God's word because their hearts were set on personal gain rather than truth and submission to God's plan and design for their lives.

They openly questioned Jesus to discredit his claim to be the Messiah. If Jesus says his authority is divine they will charge him with blasphemy. If he has done this on his own authority they might well arrest him as a mad zealot before he could do more damage. Jesus, seeing through their trap, poses a question to them and makes their answer a condition for his answer. Did they accept the work of John the Baptist as divine or human? If they accepted John's work as divine, they would be compelled to accept Jesus as the Messiah. They dodged the question because they were unwilling to face the truth. They did not accept the Baptist and they would not accept Jesus as their Messiah.

There can be no compromise with Jesus' authority - he is Truth incarnate
The coming of God's kingdom or reign on the earth inevitably leads to conflict - a conflict of allegiance to God's will or my will, God's justice or the world's way of playing fair, God's standard of absolute moral truth or truth relative to what I want to believe is good and useful for the time being. How do you respond to Jesus' claim to be not only the Messiah, but the source of everlasting life and truth as well? Do you submit to his word and stake your life on the coming of his kingdom? Jesus promises that those who seek to live according to God's truth will find true joy, freedom, and happiness both now and forever.

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.

Psalm 25:5-9

4 Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths.
5 Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all day long.
6 Be mindful of your mercy, O LORD, and of your steadfast love, for they have been from of old.
7 Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for your goodness' sake, O LORD!
8 Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in the way.
9 He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.

Daily Quote from the Early Church Fathers: John the Baptist's authority came from heaven, by Hilary of Poitiers (315-367 AD)

"Prior to this, the Pharisees had seen many things more worthy to be called great miracles, but now they were deeply troubled and asked Jesus to identify the authority by which he performed these works. The great mystery of the future is included in the consequences of present deeds. They felt the urge for special questioning, then, because the prefiguration of every danger was made known in this event. The Lord replied that he would tell them by what authority he did these works if only they would also reply to his question about whether they considered John the Baptist to have come from heaven or from man. They hesitated while pondering the dangers of responding. If they confessed John to have come from heaven, they would be convicted by that very confession for not believing in the authority of a heavenly witness. They were afraid to say that he was merely from man, however, because of the large crowd of people who believed John to be a prophet. So they answered that they did not know (they did in fact know him to be from heaven) because they feared that they might be convinced by the truth of their own confession. But they told the truth about themselves, even though it was their intention to deceive; it was only through their infidelity that they did not know John the Baptist to be from heaven. And they could not have known that John the Baptist was from man, because he was not." (excerpt from commentary ON MATTHEW 21.10)

 

 

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