You have taken away the key of knowledge
Published Oct 13, 2022 12:02 am
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After denouncing the self-serving practices of the Pharisees, Jesus also denounces the self-serving mechanisms of the scholars of the law. The Jewish life has always been centered on the Law. Consequently, most especially in the time of Jesus, the scholars or the experts of the law were among the powers-that-be. However, these scholars of the law made use of their knowledge-related authority to serve their own selfish agenda, oppressing and exploiting the poor people who, for example, did not have access to knowledge. The Greek word kleis (“key”) also refers to a means of access to something. During his earthly life, Jesus empowered people around him. He would teach them that they might have an access to the kind of life intended by God. We, Christians, therefore, must always use our authority to empower and liberate others. The use of authority to exploit and oppress other people is very unchristian.
As Christians, how do we use our authority? How responsible are we over our knowledge? Do we use our knowledge and authority to empower other people?
Gospel • Luke 11:47-54
The Lord said: “Woe to you! You build the memorials of the prophets whom your ancestors killed. Consequently, you bear witness and give consent to the deeds of your ancestors, for they killed them and you do the building. Therefore, the wisdom of God said, ‘I will send to them prophets and Apostles; some of them they will kill and persecute’ in order that this generation might be charged with the blood of all the prophets shed since the foundation of the world, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah who died between the altar and the temple building. Yes, I tell you, this generation will be charged with their blood! Woe to you, scholars of the law! You have taken away the key of knowledge. You yourselves did not enter and you stopped those trying to enter.” When he left, the scribes and Pharisees began to act with hostility toward him and to interrogate him about many things, for they were plotting to catch him at something he might say.
Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2022,” St. Pauls, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.
After denouncing the self-serving practices of the Pharisees, Jesus also denounces the self-serving mechanisms of the scholars of the law. The Jewish life has always been centered on the Law. Consequently, most especially in the time of Jesus, the scholars or the experts of the law were among the powers-that-be. However, these scholars of the law made use of their knowledge-related authority to serve their own selfish agenda, oppressing and exploiting the poor people who, for example, did not have access to knowledge. The Greek word kleis (“key”) also refers to a means of access to something. During his earthly life, Jesus empowered people around him. He would teach them that they might have an access to the kind of life intended by God. We, Christians, therefore, must always use our authority to empower and liberate others. The use of authority to exploit and oppress other people is very unchristian.
As Christians, how do we use our authority? How responsible are we over our knowledge? Do we use our knowledge and authority to empower other people?
Gospel • Luke 11:47-54
The Lord said: “Woe to you! You build the memorials of the prophets whom your ancestors killed. Consequently, you bear witness and give consent to the deeds of your ancestors, for they killed them and you do the building. Therefore, the wisdom of God said, ‘I will send to them prophets and Apostles; some of them they will kill and persecute’ in order that this generation might be charged with the blood of all the prophets shed since the foundation of the world, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah who died between the altar and the temple building. Yes, I tell you, this generation will be charged with their blood! Woe to you, scholars of the law! You have taken away the key of knowledge. You yourselves did not enter and you stopped those trying to enter.” When he left, the scribes and Pharisees began to act with hostility toward him and to interrogate him about many things, for they were plotting to catch him at something he might say.
Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2022,” St. Pauls, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.