1 June, 2024 | Memorial of Saint Justin, Martyr

 Reading : Jude 17, 20b-25

Gospel Mk 11:27-33

Jesus and his disciples returned once more to Jerusalem.

As he was walking in the temple area,

the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders

approached him and said to him,

"By what authority are you doing these things?

Or who gave you this authority to do them?"

Jesus said to them, "I shall ask you one question.

Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things.

Was John's baptism of heavenly or of human origin? Answer me."

They discussed this among themselves and said,

"If we say, 'Of heavenly origin,' he will say,

'Then why did you not believe him?'

But shall we say, 'Of human origin'?"–

they feared the crowd,

for they all thought John really was a prophet.

So they said to Jesus in reply, "We do not know."

Then Jesus said to them,

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

Reflection: 

 When the chief priests, the scribes and the elders approached Lord Jesus, it seemed like they had just one contention – his authority.  When they questioned him so as to trap and intimidate him, he understood that they indeed have a problem – that of discerning between the two different authorities over which he had clarity.  Enforcing stringent laws and multiple decrees had mesmerized and enslaved them to their own sense of authority which they believed gave them powerful control.  

Yet, the loving and wise teacher that our Lord Jesus is, counters their onslaught with a thought-provoking example of John’s baptism – on whether it was of human or heavenly origin.  A prophet works with divine authority while the crowds can retaliate with worldly emotions.  In his own way, Lord Jesus re-iterated his power and authority that comes from above, through wisdom, knowledge and understanding, in the manner with which he dealt with questions.

Activity: 

Validate the authority that you follow, whether it is of heaven or human origin.

GRATITUDE

 Thank you Victoria Freitas for the Reflections for the month of May. They were thought provoking and meaningful. Thanks for all the efforts put in.

Thank you George Fernandes for doing the voiceover for the month of May, for the recording , audio visual representation. Your efforts will be rewarded by God.

Both Victoria and George are Pauline Cooperators . They belong to the group of Ahmedabad Community.

 

WELCOME

Welcome to the Reflections for the month of June by Parimala Selvaraj , Pauline Cooperator belonging to the group of Bengaluru Community

And voice over by Sharlene Fernandes, lay collaborator in our mission.