Daily Catholic Mass Readings for December 16, 2019
First Reading: Numbers 24.2-7, 15-17a
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.
Psalm 25
1To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul;2in you I trust, O my God. Do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me.3No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame, but they will be put to shame who are treacherous without excuse.4Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths;5guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.6Remember, O LORD, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old.7Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you are good, O LORD.8Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.9He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.10All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of his covenant.11For the sake of your name, O LORD, forgive my iniquity, though it is great.12Who, then, is the man that fears the LORD? He will instruct him in the way chosen for him.13He will spend his days in prosperity, and his descendants will inherit the land.14The LORD confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them.15My eyes are ever on the LORD, for only he will release my feet from the snare.16Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.17The troubles of my heart have multiplied; free me from my anguish.18Look upon my affliction and my distress and take away all my sins.19See how my enemies have increased and how fiercely they hate me!20Guard my life and rescue me; let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.21May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope is in you.22Redeem Israel, O God, from all their troubles!
Gospel: Matthew 21.23-27
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.