Saturday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time (June 02, 2018): If you are a prophet

Thứ Sáu, 01-06-2018 | 15:00:04

Today’s Readings:

Jude 17:20b-25
Psalm 63:2-6
Mark 11:27-33
www.usccb.org/bible/readings/060218.cfm

USCCB Podcast of the Readings:
ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/18_06_02.mp3

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Mark.

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 for Saturday: If you are a prophet

By Graciela Ramos

In the Gospel of Mark, Chapter 11, verses 27 and 28, we see Jesus who, with his preaching and miracles, shakes the “world” of the high priests, the scribes, and the elders, forcing them to ask: “By what authority do you do this?”

Everyone who speaks of the Lord with anointing (the touch of the Holy Spirit) attracts the attention of others. People are drawn by the words. All, to some extent, suspend what they are doing to ask themselves, “What is this?” Then each person responds.

Some move towards those words to continue listening more carefully. Their hearts are willing, their souls are hungry, their spirits are open, and they are transformed by those words. Victory of the Lord and of man! Together as partners, the Maker and the creature are invincible.

Others feel restless. Something stirs uncomfortably within them. Their brow furrows as distrust emerges. “Beware!” their spirit shouts. “Threat!” And immediately they feel rejection and a desire to silence the voice that announces and denounces.

Between one reaction and another, there are infinite nuances: wonder, fear, doubt, guilt, prejudice, fatigue, disinterest, irritation, outrage, etc. There are as many different reactions as human beings on earth.

But the truth is that the voice that proclaims the Word of the Lord inevitably causes some reaction. If not, it is not truly the Word of the Lord. It is merely a human word with good intentions.

If you are proclaiming the Word of the Lord, you should expect all those reactions within those who listen to you: availability, joy, acceptance, uncertainty, annoyance, rejection, anger, persecution and, possibly, your death. If you are proclaiming the Word of the Lord, many lives will be transformed. Joy will be a clear sign of authenticity. Persecution will be, too.

If you are proclaiming the Word of the Lord, pray. Ask the Lord to strengthen your spirit so the applause does not make your soul proud and fear of persecution does not weaken your will.

Pray! Pray always and rejoice in your Lord!

Tags: Eighth Week in Ordinary Time, Good News Reflection, Holy Gospel according to Mark