Sincerely seeking ~ reflex on Advent and Matt. 21:23-27

Jesus is often verbally jousting with “the chief priests and elders,” but why? He has come to save them too, but they refuse to humble themselves or let go of their authority or open themselves to the truth. And so, in today’s Gospel, as this group questions him about his own authority in turning over tables in the temple, Jesus agrees to answer their question IF they will answer one question from him. This question is a test. A test of what? A test of their sincerity. Jesus will only answer them on the one condition that they sincerely want to receive his answer.

But they do not. They are too busy balancing the way the people will perceive them against their own self-righteousness. They are not sincerely seeking to know what is true; they are working to protect their own position. They refuse to answer Jesus’ question, and so Jesus refuses to answer theirs.

Wisdom in action. Divine wisdom acting powerfully against human “wisdom.”

The Responsorial Psalm (Psalm 25) can be a profound examination of conscience for our own sincerity: Do we want to know the Lord’s ways and follow his paths? Are we humble enough to be guided in the truth and taught by the Savior? Do we know in our bones that the Lord shows sinners the way, guides the humble to justice? How do we understand the truth that the Lord teaches the humble his way? Are we sincerely seeking to know what is true?

As we enter the third week of Advent, how are we opening ourselves more fully and allowing ourselves to let go of all that is in us that keeps us from the complete freedom necessary to receive the great Gift of Salvation? Are we sincerely awaiting the angelic message that our Savior is come?  Are our hearts like humble mangers, conscious of their emptiness of any riches and ready to receive the King of the Universe, who comes to us as a gentle Infant in the quiet of a starry night?