REFLECTIONS TODAY

The chief priests, the scribes, and the elders are threatened by the presence of Jesus, as they see him gaining followers because of his wisdom, decisiveness, and miraculous deeds. The chief priests are high-ranking religious men who serve in the Sanhedrin and make major decisions in their community. The scribes are Jewish leaders whose function is to copy royal and sacred manuscripts as they are presumed to have studied the Scriptures very well. The elders are supposed to be learned people, heads of households, prominent men of the community. Their question to Jesus reveals their insecurity. On the other hand, Jesus’ question to them exudes his wisdom and his ability to challenge the integrity of these people, “Was John’s baptism of heavenly or of human origin?” (v 30). Unsure of their authority and unwilling to make a stand, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders reply, “We do not know” (v 33). Many of us are also unsure as to where our authority comes from. The Gospel reading is a reminder that we need to root our lives in the authority of God and imitate Jesus’ decisiveness in anchoring his own authority in the will of his heavenly Father.

FIRST READING • Sir 51:12cd-20

I thank the Lord and I praise him; I bless the name of the Lord. When I was young and innocent, I sought wisdom openly in my prayer, I prayed for her before the temple, and I will seek her until the end, and she flourished as a grape soon ripe. My heart delighted in her, my feet kept to the level path because from earliest youth I was familiar with her. In the short time I paid heed, I met with great instruction. Since in this way I have profited, I will give my teacher grateful praise. I became resolutely devoted to her — the good I persistently strove for. My soul was tormented in seeking her, my hand opened her gate and I came to know her secrets. I directed my soul to her, and in cleanness I attained to her.

Gospel • Mark 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.” *Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2023,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]); website: [http://www.stpauls.ph](http://www.stpauls.ph).*