Reflection on the Gospel of the Monday In The Third Week Of Advent |
Matthew 21: 23-27 |
The Pharisees are asking Jesus a direct question, “Tell us where were you schooled?” and Jesus seems to be reluctant to answer them directly, so he puts them a googly – a question they will not want to answer. Can this be the truth?
What I am inclined towards, when reflecting on today’s Gospel Passage, a little deeper is that Jesus wants to point and help them see His own reality, therefore He is asking them this question. If they accept John the Baptist as a prophet, then they by default are saying accepting John as the herald that would come before the Messiah, and if so, then Jesus who follows in ministry on the heels of John the Baptist’s own ministry, is then the Messiah.
But the hardness of heart of the Authorities is on display, and they refrain from answering the question. And Jesus objects, not so much regarding that they are avoiding answering the question, but because they have hardened their hearts. Just like Pharaoh – they are shutting out God from their lives. Just like Adam…
Come Holy Spirit, take away the hardness of heart in our lives, help us ever have welcoming hearts to God.
