Trong trong các Bài Tin Mừng, nhiều trường hợp chúng ta thấy các thầy thượng tế, các thầy thông giáo và các trưởng lão muốn hạ uy tín của Chúa Giêsu trước mặt mọi người nên nhiều lần họ đã chất vấn Chúa. Họ tìm mọi cách để chứng minh Chúa Giêsu là người “xáo quyệt”, “nói láo”. Vì vậy, họ nghĩ rằng Chúa Giêsu không thể trả lời được câu hỏi của họ đưa ra trong tin mừng hôm nay. họ đã cố tình gài bẫy với câu hỏi lừa bịp của họ, "Ông lấy quyền nào mà làm các điều ấy ?" (Mc 11:27) Họ quá chắc chắn là Chúa Giêsu sẽ không thể trả lời câu này. Tất nhiên, họ đã sai lầm vì Chúa Giêsu đã hỏi lại họ một câu hỏi mà họ không thể trả lời được. Dù bằng cách nào câu trả lời của họ cũng sẽ đưa chính họ vào sự thù nghịch với dân chúng.
Ở đây chúng ta thấy tâm địa con người của chúng ta có hạn chế. Những người có chức quyền trong xã hội hay lạm dụng kiến thức của mình để đặt những gánh nặng lên những người khác, hay lên dân chúng dưới quyền của họ. Vì quyền lợi riêng rư, vì niềm tự hào của họ, họ không thể thừa nhận rằng Chúa Giêsu đã nói nên sự thật về chân lý.
Chỉ có sự hạ mình và biết khiêm tốn chúng ta mới có thể công nhận được uy quyền của Chúa Giêsu. Và vì thế, Thiên Chúa sẽ không gây ra khó khăn ngăn trở chúng ta tìm hiểu những gì Ngài muốn nơi chúng ta. Ngài đã ban cho chúng ta bộ Kinh Thánh để dạy dỗ, hướng dẫn chúng ta hàng ngày. Nếu chúng ta chịu khó đọc Lời Chúa mỗi ngày, Chúa Thánh Thần sẽ hướng dẫn chúng ta hiểu được công việc và quyên năng của thiên Chúa.. Và bây gìờ là thời gian mà chúng tôi phải biết rõ tầm quan trọng cũa việc rao truyền Tin Mừng của Ngài và làm chứng cho quyền lực của Chúa Giêsu trong cuộc sống hàng ngày của chúng ta.
REFLECTION
Members of the religious ruling class ask Jesus by what authority he drove the buyers and sellers out of the Temple. They were hoping to trap him. If he answers, "by my own authority," they will arrest him for causing a disturbance in God's house. If he says, "by God's authority," they will accuse him of blasphemy.
Jesus refuses to answer their question unless they first answer a question he will put to them: "John's baptism, was it from heaven or from man?" They hesitate to answer, for if they say "from heaven," the people will ask them why did they not believe in John? If they answer, "from man," they fear the reaction of the people who had great respect for John. The religious authorities refused to do what they ought to have been doing, discerning what is from God and what from man. They refused to do this, because they would have to admit the truth. People who refuse to face the truth, in the end get themselves in very tight situations. Whatever they say, they will be denying the truth. The person who faces the truth, however, will be asked to take a stand in defense of the truth as he perceives it, and will, therefore, have the honor of being very Christ-like. For Christ lived by the truth and went to his death in defense of the truth. As he had told others that the truth would make them free, so the truth had set him free, had made him free to choose death rather than falsehood, had made him free to rise again to new life.
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?” Mark 11:27–28
Jesus and His disciples were in Jerusalem for Passover, which would culminate in His death. In the preceding months, Jesus prepared His disciples for this final journey, telling them three times that He would be handed over in Jerusalem, suffer, die, and rise again. Each time, the disciples failed to grasp the full meaning of His words.
The week began with Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. The next day, Jesus drove the money changers, merchants, and others out of the Temple. As the week progressed, hostilities grew. Today, Jesus is confronted by the chief priests, scribes, and elders. Later in the week, He will face opposition from the Herodians, Pharisees, and Sadducees. Each of these groups held significant civil and religious authority within the Jewish community.
The chief priests oversaw Temple worship. The scribes were experts in Jewish Law. The elders were respected lay leaders within the community. The Herodians were politically motivated supporters of Herod and Roman rule. The Pharisees focused on strict observance of the Law and oral traditions. The Sadducees denied beliefs, such as the resurrection and angels, and cooperated with Roman authorities to protect their positions.
While Roman authorities governed Jerusalem civilly, the religious leaders held significant influence over the Temple and the enforcement of Jewish laws, matters that were of little concern to the Romans. The religious leaders could arrest people, but they lacked the authority to execute anyone—an authority they ultimately sought to use against Jesus. Tragically, they became icons of hostility and evil as they persecuted the Son of God.
In today’s Gospel, the chief priests, scribes, and elders confronted Jesus: “By what authority are You doing these things?” This challenge was likely in response to Jesus’ actions the previous day when He cleansed the Temple. The tension and hostility were palpable. The disciples were fearful, and those observing took sides—some angry at Jesus, others concerned for what might happen to Him.
Jesus’ disposition and response to these icons of hostility and evil offer insight into how we must confront every diabolical attack and temptation in our own lives. Jesus was calm, firm, and fearless. He revealed their dishonesty, trickery, and evil intent when He 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 human origin? Answer me.”
The religious leaders didn’t know what to say. Any answer they gave would have revealed their malice and dishonesty, so they said, “We do not know.” Jesus responded, “Neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things” (Mark 11:33). Jesus was not intimidated and exposed their dishonesty.
Reflect today on any hostility you might encounter. If it seems senseless and leaves you feeling oppressed or fearful, turn to Jesus as your guide. Hostile irrationality can arise from many sources, even those close to us. We must resist the temptation to return hostility with hostility, but neither should we give in to fear. Our response must be rational, calm, and firm, just as Jesus demonstrated. Our Lord’s witness should not only result in our admiration and praise, but also in our imitation, relying on His grace to confront evil as He did.
Most courageous Lord, You never allowed the anger and deception of others to oppress You or fill You with fear. You faced every evil with confidence and wisdom, unmasking its irrationality. Grant me Your courage and wisdom as I confront the evils in my life, so that I may live with confidence and security in Your grace. Jesus, I trust in You.
Opening Prayer: Lord God, do not let me harden my heart. Replace my heart of stone with a spirit-filled heart. Show me how to grow in my faith today and imitate your merciful love.
1. Questioning Jesus’ Authority: As he journeyed along the way to Jerusalem, Jesus predicted three times that members of three groups – the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders – would condemn him to death. Now, three days after his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the groups openly confront Jesus and ask him two questions about his authority. Throughout Mark’s Gospel, the conflict between Jesus and the religious leaders has revolved around the issue of authority (Gray, The Temple in the Gospel of Mark, 56). The leaders questioned Jesus’ authority to forgive sins (Mark 2:7), heal on the Sabbath (Mark 3:2-6), and cast out demons (Mark 3:22). Here, the leaders question Jesus’ authority to judge the temple and its rulers.
Saturday 8th Week in Ordinaty Time 2023
This is Jesus’ response to the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders when they approached Jesus in the Temple area and asked Him by what authority He did the things He did. And what was it that Jesus did? The day before, Jesus had been in the Temple and drove the money changers out, telling them, “Is it not written: ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples’? But you have made it a den of thieves.” This outraged the religious leaders, and they immediately began to discuss how they could put Jesus to death.
Consider, first, the tension in the air. They literally were plotting to put Jesus, the Son of God, to death. They were filled with hatred and jealousy and refused to believe in Him. Jesus saw their hardness of heart and put them on the spot to first answer His question before He would answer theirs. Why would Jesus do this?
The question Jesus asked them was actually an act of great mercy on His part. He gave them an opportunity to repent. If they had only answered His question with humble faith and honesty, they could have saved their lives. Instead, they discussed among themselves His question and gave the politically correct answer. If they had said John’s baptism was of human origin, and not from God, they were afraid that the people would turn on them. So they simply said, “We do not know.” But imagine if they would have given the right answer. What if they had discussed it among themselves and concluded that John’s baptism truly was from God and that they should have believed in him? If they would have only humbled themselves, admitted that they had gravely erred in regard to John, then Jesus would have answered their question, and their life of true faith could have begun. But they didn’t. They remained obstinate. They could not admit they were wrong.
Obstinacy is among the most dangerous of sins. It’s a sin that cannot be forgiven, because, in essence, it’s a refusal to change. And when a person refuses to admit their sin, and refuses to change, then God cannot help them. They remain lost in their sin and suffer the consequences.
Do you struggle with obstinacy in your life? Do you find it difficult to admit when you are wrong? Do you find it difficult to apologize to another and seek to change?
Reflect, today, upon anything you remain obstinate about. Are there matters of faith that you refuse to believe? Are there broken relationships that you refuse to humbly restore? Do you justify your sin and refuse to admit your guilt and need to change? Pray to our Lord for the gift of a humble heart. Humility, in many ways, is nothing other than being completely honest with yourself and others before God. Do not follow the example of these religious leaders. Humbly seek to remove all obstinacy from your heart so that Our Lord can enter in and bring His mercy into your life.
My unwavering Jesus, You confront those who are proud, arrogant and obstinate with much strength and love. You do so to help them overcome their stubbornness of heart. Give me the grace of humility, dear Lord, so that I will always be able to admit my sin and turn to You in love. Jesus, I trust in You.
Love and Authority: “By what authority are you doing these things,” the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders asked Jesus. For them, authority meant power and dominion. But for Jesus, authority means a relationship of love, such as between a Father and Son. It is no wonder that Jesus then brought up John’s baptism in response to them. It was through this baptism that “we are reborn as sons of God.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1213) When we think of God’s authoritative love, let us remember his character: merciful, gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness (Catechism of the Catholic Church 210).
Love and Authority: “By what authority are you doing these things,” the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders asked Jesus. For them, authority meant power and dominion. But for Jesus, authority means a relationship of love, such as between a Father and Son. It is no wonder that Jesus then brought up John’s baptism in response to them. It was through this baptism that “we are reborn as sons of God.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1213) When we think of God’s authoritative love, let us remember his character: merciful, gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness (Catechism of the Catholic Church 210).
Do you accept the authority of God’s word and submit to it with trust and obedience? Many religious leaders took offense at Jesus because they could not accept his authority. After Jesus had dramatically cleansed the temple of the traders and money-changers the Jewish leaders question Jesus to trap him. If he says his authority is divine they will charge him with blasphemy. If he has done this on his own authority they might well arrest him as a mad zealot before he could do more damage. Jesus, seeing through their trap, poses a question to them and makes their answer a condition for his answer. Did they accept the work of John the Baptist as divine or human? If they accepted John’s work as divine, they would be compelled to accept Jesus as the Messiah. They dodged the question because they were unwilling to face the truth. They did not accept the Baptist and they would not accept Jesus as their Messiah. Jesus told his disciples that “the truth will make you free” (John 8:31). Do you know the joy and freedom of living according to God's word of truth?
In today Gospel reading, we witness Jesus withering a fig tree without fruits to its roots even though He knows that it is not a season for fig tree has fruits, It wasn’t time for fig trees to have fruits in that time of the year.
Jesus never worked a miracle for himself, so we know the fig’s tree was not punished for not having fruits to satisfy His hunger. We know, this event immediately precedes his entering the Temple at Jerusalem where he expects to find people busy to pray and worship his Father in the Temple. But instead he finds them occupied the temple area with worldly activity, often fraudulent, cheating and unjust activity at that.
The fruits of honesty and uprightness that Jesus expects to find are simply not there; so in a sense the fig tree symbolizes Jerusalem. Are we honest in our dealings with others? Do we realize that the Lord expects us to bear fruit? Do we invest our time well, in both prayer and action, to this end?
Do we always act respectfully in God’s house where our Eucharistic Lord dwells?
Prayer and action are intimately tied together. Jesus was right in driving the moneychangers and animals from the Temple. Certainly we’re not supposed to busy ourselves with worldly affairs while we’re in church. But it’s very proper to bring our worries and concerns, our joys, successes and failures to Christ in prayer. It’s good for us to ask Our Lord his viewpoint about our concerns and ask for his grace to continue on. And when we do set aside time specifically for prayer to encounter Christ, then we find the strength0 and desire to spread his message to others. It’s through prayer that we’re filled with apostolic zeal. When we dedicate our day to loving service of God, our day itself becomes a prayer.
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