Daily Readings - Mon Dec 16 2019
Numbers
2When Balaam looked out and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came upon him3and he uttered his oracle: "The oracle of Balaam son of Beor, the oracle of one whose eye sees clearly,4the oracle of one who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who falls prostrate, and whose eyes are opened:5"How beautiful are your tents, O Jacob, your dwelling places, O Israel!6"Like valleys they spread out, like gardens beside a river, like aloes planted by the LORD, like cedars beside the waters.7Water will flow from their buckets; their seed will have abundant water. "Their king will be greater than Agag; their kingdom will be exalted.15Then he uttered his oracle: "The oracle of Balaam son of Beor, the oracle of one whose eye sees clearly,16the oracle of one who hears the words of God, who has knowledge from the Most High, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who falls prostrate, and whose eyes are opened:17"I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel. He will crush the foreheads of Moab, the skulls of all the sons of Sheth.
Matthew
23Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. "By what authority are you doing these things?" they asked. "And who gave you this authority?"24Jesus replied, "I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things.25John's baptism--where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or from men?"26They discussed it among themselves and said, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will ask, 'Then why didn't you believe him?' But if we say, 'From men'--we are afraid of the people, for they all hold that John was a prophet."27So they answered Jesus, "We don't know." Then he said, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two profound narratives that invite us to reflect on the themes of authority, prophecy, and spiritual discernment. The first reading from Numbers presents Balaam, a non-Israelite prophet, who, despite being commissioned to curse Israel, ends up blessing them under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. His prophecy speaks of a future leader, a star rising from Jacob, symbolizing the coming Messiah. This passage underscores God’s ability to speak through unexpected voices and His divine plan for His people.
In the Gospel, Matthew 21:23-27, Jesus is confronted by the religious leaders who question His authority. Jesus responds by challenging them about the origin of John the Baptist’s baptism, forcing them into a dilemma. Their inability to answer reflects their spiritual blindness and resistance to God’s truth. This exchange highlights the tension between those who recognize God’s authority and those who oppose it, even within religious circles.
These readings remind us to remain humble and open to God’s messengers, whether they come from expected or unexpected places. Balaam’s humility and willingness to obey God’s voice contrast sharply with the pride and close-mindedness of the religious leaders. As we navigate our own spiritual journeys, may we seek to recognize God’s authority in our lives and remain open to His workings, even when they challenge our preconceptions. Let us pray for the humility to accept God’s truth, wherever it may be found, and to follow His will with open hearts.