Daily Reflection | Gospel Reading | RVA

THE WORD

Jdg 17,20-25 / Mk 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.”

IN OTHER WORDS

In L. Frank Baum’s The Master Key, a boy character quips, “Oh, if Shakespeare says it, that’s all right.”–implying that one can safely and cofidently believe anything Shakespeare wrote because he’s an authority.  Authority is such a curious thing, strangely manifested in proper names. Just quote Socrates, Nietzsche, or St. Teresa of Calcutta and people will not disagree with you even if you don’t understand their words.

For the Israelites in the OT, the notion of authority was of capital importance. Only the Word of Yahweh mattered to them—or so they said.

During Jesus’ time, the Pharisees and chief priests would piously invoke Moses’ or David’s name to justify their attitudes, beliefs, and behavior.

Remember the occasion when Jesus severely rebuked the teachers of the Law and the Pharisees?  “How terrible for you, teachers of the Law and Pharisees,” Jesus roars. “You hypocrites! You give to God one tenth even of the seasoning herbs, such as mint, dill and cumin, but you neglect to obey the really important teachings of the Law, such as justice and mercy and honesty (Mt. 23: 23).”

So when they asked Jesus, “By what authority are you doing these things? Or who gave you this authority to do them?” Jesus dodged their trap, retorting, “Was John’s baptism of heavenly or of human origin? Answer me.” As usual, Jesus outwitted the Pharisees..

And so Jesus did not tell them by what authority He did what He was doing. After all, what more evidence was necessary than: the blind could see, the lame could walk, the deaf could hear, the lepers were cured, the dead raised, and the Good News was preached to the poor (Lk. 7: 22).

Besides, before the hopelessly stubborn and blind Scribes and Pharisees, it’s better to keep one’s mouth shut.  Leonardo da Vinci once said: “Nothing strengthens authority so much as silence.”

• Fr. Raymun J. Festin, SVD | CKMS, Quezon City

The Word in other words 2016

An annual project of Logos Publications, The WORD in Other Words Bible Diary contains daily scripture readings and reflections written by priest, brothers, and sisters of the three congregations founded by St. Arnold Janssen (the SVD, SSpS, and SSpSAP). It hopes to serve as a daily companion to readers who continually seek the correlation of the Word of God and human experience.

	Production : Fr. Carlos Maria de Guzman, Jr., SVD and Staff of Logos Publications
	Cover Design : Malou E. Domingo
	Liturgical Calendar : Fr. Atilano Corcuera, SVD
	Production Consultant : Fr. Gerardo del Pinado, SVD
	Scriptural Texts : New American Bible and Daily Roman Missal
	Cover artwork based on photos by Fr. Bar Fabella, SVD
	Published by : Logos Publications, Inc. 1916 Oroquieta St., Sta. Cruz, Manila
	Email Address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
	Telephone : +63 2 711 1323
	Fax : +63 2 732 273
	Copyright © 2015 Society of the Divine Word

 

THE WORD

1 Pt 4,7-13 / Mk 11,11-26

Next day as they were leaving Bethany, (Jesus) felt hungry. Seeing a fig tree in leaf some distance away, he went to see if he could find any fruit on it, but when he came up to it he found nothing but leaves; for it was not season of the figs.  And he addressed the fig tree ‘May no one ever eat fruit from you again’, he said. And his disciples heard him say this.

So they reached Jerusalem and he went into the Temple and began driving out those who were selling and buying there; he upset the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those who were selling pigeons. Nor would he allow anyone to carry anything through the Temple. And he taught them and said, ‘Does not scripture say: My house will be called a house of prayer for all the peoples? But you have turned it into a robber’s den.’ This came to the ears of the chief priests and the scribed, and they tried to find some way of doing away with him; they were afraid of him because the people were carried away by his teaching. And when evening came he went out of the city.

Next morning, as they passed by, they saw the g tree withered to the roots. Peter remembered. ‘Look, Rabbi,’ he said to Jesus ‘the g tree you cursed has withered away.’ Jesus answered, ‘Have faith in God. I tell you solemnly, if anyone says to this mountain, “Get up and throw yourself into the sea,: with no hesitation in his heart but believing that what he ways will happen, it will be done for him. I tell you therefore: everything you ask and pray for, believe that you have it already, and it will be yours. And when you stand in prayer, forgive whatever you have against anybody, so that your Father in heaven may forgive your failings too.

IN OTHER WORDS

Jesus is hungry.  He sees a fig tree, approaches it, hoping to pick some fruits to fill stomach. Unfortunately, the tree had produced no fruit. To his dismay, our Lord curses the g tree, saying: “May no one ever eat fruit from you again!” With the cursing of the g tree, Jesus symbolically denounces “unfruitful Christians” – that is, people who profess themselves as followers of Jesus Christ but there is a contradiction between their testimony and their lifestyle.

This gospel passage is a precaution for a professing follower of Christ who lives a completely fruitless life; whose relationship with God is nothing more than rite, ritual and form. It is a wake-up call for us to harmonize our words and deeds.

For us Christians, the only way that we will ever be able to bear real fruit is for us to be tapped constantly unto the Source of all fruit: Jesus Christ. The more we cling to Him, the more we become godly and the more we will be like Him and bear fruit abundantly.

• Fr. Jovito Osalvo, SVD | Portugal

The Word in other words 2016

An annual project of Logos Publications, The WORD in Other Words Bible Diary contains daily scripture readings and reflections written by priest, brothers, and sisters of the three congregations founded by St. Arnold Janssen (the SVD, SSpS, and SSpSAP). It hopes to serve as a daily companion to readers who continually seek the correlation of the Word of God and human experience.

	Production : Fr. Carlos Maria de Guzman, Jr., SVD and Staff of Logos Publications
	Cover Design : Malou E. Domingo
	Liturgical Calendar : Fr. Atilano Corcuera, SVD
	Production Consultant : Fr. Gerardo del Pinado, SVD
	Scriptural Texts : New American Bible and Daily Roman Missal
	Cover artwork based on photos by Fr. Bar Fabella, SVD
	Published by : Logos Publications, Inc. 1916 Oroquieta St., Sta. Cruz, Manila
	Email Address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
	Telephone : +63 2 711 1323
	Fax : +63 2 732 273
	Copyright © 2015 Society of the Divine Word

 

THE WORD

1 Pt 2,2-5.9-12 / Mk 10,46-52

As Jesus was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a sizable crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus, sat by the roadside begging.  On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, son of David, have pity on me.”

And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he kept calling out all the more, “Son of David, have pity on me.”  Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take courage; get up, he is calling you.” He threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus. Jesus said to him in reply, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man replied to him, “Master, I want to see.” Jesus told him, “Go your way; your faith has saved you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way.

IN OTHER WORDS

 “Your faith has saved you.” What inspiring words of Jesus! In my experience, Australians and New Zealanders are not really as expressive with their faith unlike those of other cultures. However their deep faith is shown in their dedication and commitment.. When I was parish priest in New Zealand, several months back, I observed that even at a stormy night, people would nd a way to attend a meeting.

The gospel for today is talking about a blind man, who when he heard that Jesus was passing by, wouldn’t pass up this opportunity to get healed. And he got what he wanted and followed Jesus all because of his faith.

What does it mean to have faith? Faith can never be defined if God is not included in that definition.  To have faith is to believe in God even if God himself can’t be seen physically. The letter to the Hebrews tells us that “Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen.”  (11, 1) And to have this is no easy job. And yet, we are all given this faith by God by virtue of our baptism. What we need to do is to nurture this faith so it will grow.

As we continue to reflect on this reading, we ask ourselves, how is our faith? What do we do to nurture it? Is it growing stronger or does it wane whenever life gives us some challenges? Jesus said to Bartimeaus that it was his faith that saved him. There are times when our faith is not as strong as Bartimeaus’ and yet we all need to be saved. Let Jesus increase our faith so that in times of difficulties, we would be saved.

• Fr. Elmer Ibarra, SVD | Sydney, Australia

The Word in other words 2016

An annual project of Logos Publications, The WORD in Other Words Bible Diary contains daily scripture readings and reflections written by priest, brothers, and sisters of the three congregations founded by St. Arnold Janssen (the SVD, SSpS, and SSpSAP). It hopes to serve as a daily companion to readers who continually seek the correlation of the Word of God and human experience.

	Production : Fr. Carlos Maria de Guzman, Jr., SVD and Staff of Logos Publications
	Cover Design : Malou E. Domingo
	Liturgical Calendar : Fr. Atilano Corcuera, SVD
	Production Consultant : Fr. Gerardo del Pinado, SVD
	Scriptural Texts : New American Bible and Daily Roman Missal
	Cover artwork based on photos by Fr. Bar Fabella, SVD
	Published by : Logos Publications, Inc. 1916 Oroquieta St., Sta. Cruz, Manila
	Email Address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
	Telephone : +63 2 711 1323
	Fax : +63 2 732 273
	Copyright © 2015 Society of the Divine Word

 

THE WORD

1 Pt 1,18-25 / Mk 10,32-45

They were on the way, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus went ahead of them. They were amazed, and those who followed were afraid.  Taking the Twelve aside again, he began to tell them what was going to happen to him. “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and hand him over to the Gentiles who will mock him, spit upon him, scourge him, and put him to death, but after three days he will rise.”

James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” He replied, “What do you wish (me) to do for you?” They answered him, “Grant that in your glory we may sit one at your right and the other at your left .” Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I drink or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” They said to him, “We can.” Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink, you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right or at my le is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared.”

When the ten heard this, they became indignant at James and John. Jesus summoned them and said to them, “You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

IN OTHER WORDS

Some people are interested in predictions in horoscopes or by so-called holy persons who claim to have a direct communication with the Almighty. Remember that pastor who predicted that the world would end on May 21, 2011? It roused people’s attention. Now in the gospel, the Lord Himself gives an accurate, blow-by-blow prediction of His passion, death and resurrection; and what reaction does He get from His very close twelve apostles? Nothing! No interest at all!

Not only did they ignore/disregard the Lord’s prediction, two of them, James and John were interested in something more self-uplifting: positions of power and grandeur beside the Lord in His kingdom. They even bragged about being ready to drink of the chalice of sacrifice if this would clinch their ambition. This attitude, of course, drew the ire and envy of the other apostles.

The Lord, ever so patient and understanding, took the opportunity to teach them then, and teach us now, the lesson of true greatness and leadership: the truly great leader is him/her who serves others humbly, in imitation of Jesus Himself who “did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” But we should not forget the earlier lesson of Christ’s prediction of His passion, death and resurrection: this was His mission of love for humanity, humbly submitting Himself to the will of the Father; so that we may be saved and have our places with Him in His everlasting kingdom.

• Fr. Lino Evora Nicasio, SVD | National Shrine of Saint Jude  addeus

The Word in other words 2016

An annual project of Logos Publications, The WORD in Other Words Bible Diary contains daily scripture readings and reflections written by priest, brothers, and sisters of the three congregations founded by St. Arnold Janssen (the SVD, SSpS, and SSpSAP). It hopes to serve as a daily companion to readers who continually seek the correlation of the Word of God and human experience.

	Production : Fr. Carlos Maria de Guzman, Jr., SVD and Staff of Logos Publications
	Cover Design : Malou E. Domingo
	Liturgical Calendar : Fr. Atilano Corcuera, SVD
	Production Consultant : Fr. Gerardo del Pinado, SVD
	Scriptural Texts : New American Bible and Daily Roman Missal
	Cover artwork based on photos by Fr. Bar Fabella, SVD
	Published by : Logos Publications, Inc. 1916 Oroquieta St., Sta. Cruz, Manila
	Email Address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
	Telephone : +63 2 711 1323
	Fax : +63 2 732 273
	Copyright © 2015 Society of the Divine Word