Proclaiming and Living the Truth

GOSPEL

We ascribe authority to those who earn it. The days of respecting

people who claim to have authority are gone. The Church today
has to move on to a more evangelical footing. It has to both
proclaim and live the truth. This is the only way that people will
listen to what the Church says on issues at hand. Only
participative voices will gain the authority to be heard.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Show us, Lord, your love and grant us your salvation.

Matthew 21:23-27

23When 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 24

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
25

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,
26

for they all regard John as a prophet.” So they said to

27

Jesus in reply, “We do not know.” He himself said to them,

“Neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

think: We ascribe authority to those who earn it. The days of

respecting people who claim to have authority are gone.

T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST

Thank You Lord for: __________________

____________________________________

God’s special verse/thought for me today_

_____________________________________

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Hosea 6-10

Didache | Companion | Sabbath | Top

SABBATH

YOUR CHOICE

As I try to picture today’s Gospel in my mind, I cannot help

but imagine a more inculturated scene, “Anong karapatan
mo na magsalita sa harap namin?” (What right do you
have to speak in front of us?) It smacks of condescension.
There is so much apathy for someone regarded as inferior
that even his rights are stepped upon.
Jesus was neither a Jewish priest nor an ordained
scribe. The ones questioning Him were the learned ones,
those who see themselves and are seen as experts of the
law. He may be a Rabbi, but His credentials are simply not
at par with those who have spent most of their lives
studying the law. We can perhaps liken that experience to
a man who barely reached college speaking to a group of
people with graduate degrees up their sleeves. The man
has nothing but his personal testimonies about his
experience of Jesus. He may be ridiculed for his poor
scholarly experience, but no one can question the
authenticity of his religious experience.
I accompanied my seminary rector in a trip to Hong
Kong. He was to give a retreat to a group of missionaries
in China who were then in Hong Kong for some scheduled
break. Most of the missionaries were from the West who
had lived in China for the longest time, and some were
already in their twilight years. Most of them were surprised
to see that an Asian cleric was to facilitate in their retreat.
One of them retorted, “Look at how things have gone
around in circles. We used to be the ones evangelizing
them, now they are the ones evangelizing us.” That
missionary priest’s remark in no way smacks of
condescension or prejudice. It was with much awe and
admiration that he has seen how God works wonders
through a man appointed by Him.
You can choose to be condescending or in awe of
God’s work — it’s your choice. Fr. Sandy Enhaynes

REFLECTION QUESTION: How do you react when someone

comes as teacher — in pride or in humility?

Father in heaven, let me be teachable. Let me learn from

teachers You send my way.