How often we find ourselves wondering what is the Lord’s Will for us? However for some it’s “Ok Lord what’s next?” In case you haven’t caught on, the former discerns, prays and doesn’t always receives an answer or do they? Whilst the latter always seems to know and is eager to know what the Lord has in store for them.
Today’s first reading gives us great insights in seeking our Lord’s wisdom such as:
- Always seeking His presence in prayer
- Pursuing a righteous path through steadfast faith in our Lord
- Being attentive to His soft promptings
- Putting into practise all that is good till it becomes second nature
- Pursuing Holiness, purity of heart, mind and soul.
And today’s Gospel opens our minds to see that we must be humble of heart to never question our Lord our God’s authority. For He alone decides who, how, when, where even whom He chooses to communicate His grace, word or will for us. For all authority in heaven and on earth had been given to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. He is our Shepherd, we listen to His voice; He knows us, and we follow Him. Amen
First reading
Ecclesiasticus 51:17-27
Glory be to him who has given me wisdom
I will thank you and praise you,
and bless the name of the Lord.
When I was still a youth, before I went travelling,
in my prayers I asked outright for wisdom.
Outside the sanctuary I would pray for her,
and to the last I will continue to seek her.
From her blossoming to the ripening of her grape
my heart has taken its delight in her.
My foot has pursued a straight path,
I have been following her steps ever since my youth.
By bowing my ear a little I have received her,
and have found much instruction.
Thanks to her I have advanced;
the glory be to him who has given me wisdom!
For I am determined to put her into practice,
I have earnestly pursued what is good, I will not be put to shame.
My soul has fought to possess her,
I have been scrupulous in keeping the Law;
I have stretched out my hands to heaven
and bewailed my ignorance of her;
I have directed my soul towards her,
and in purity have found her.
Gospel
Mark 11:27-33
I will not tell you my authority for acting like this
Jesus and his disciples came to Jerusalem, and as Jesus was walking in the Temple, the chief priests and the scribes and the elders came to him, and they said to him, ‘What authority have you for acting like this? Or who gave you authority to do these things?’ Jesus said to them, ‘I will ask you a question, only one; answer me and I will tell you my authority for acting like this. John’s baptism: did it come from heaven, or from man? Answer me that.’ And they argued it out this way among themselves: ‘If we say from heaven, he will say, “Then why did you refuse to believe him?” But dare we say from man?’ – they had the people to fear, for everyone held that John was a real prophet. So their reply to Jesus was, ‘We do not know.’ And Jesus said to them, ‘Nor will I tell you my authority for acting like this.’
CatholicJules.net 