GUIDE ME AND TEACH ME
In today's Gospel: we
read about the chief priests and the elders of the people approached Jesus as
He was teaching and said, "By what authority are you doing these
things?" By what authority does Jesus act? The story of Balaam gives us a
clue. The spirit of God comes upon Balaam, inspiring his words. He declares
that he "hears what God says, and knows what the Most High knows."
Earlier in the story God has warned Balaam: "you may say only what I tell
you" (Num 22:35). God gives Balaam the authority to act and speak in His
name. Today as we read scripture we know that the people and their leaders know
that it is God who had given Jesus authority to speak too. They were moved and
at awe because Jesus "taught them as one having authority" ( Mt
7:29), and they "glorified God who had given such authority to human
beings" ( Mt 9:8).
This truly is a
testimony of what life is all about. We too need God daily to guide and teach
us so we bear witness to God's Good News in Jesus Christ. It is Jesus who calls
us to live, act, and speak on our faith journey. In our Responsorial Psalm we
ask God to "teach me your ways, O Lord."
Points to Pray and Ponder: Our witness, like all our saints, will only be
true and effective if when God gives grace we have the courage to respond to
His will.