DAILY- HOMILY

June 2, 2018 – SATURDAY, 8TH Week in Ordinary Time

Sts. Marcellinus, Priest, and Peter, Martyrs

Green.

Jude 17, 20b- 25 / Mk 11: 27- 33

Sts. Marcellinus (d. 304), a priest, and Peter (d. 304), an exorcist, were martyred under Emperor Diocletian.

FROM THE 1ST READING:             Jude 17, 20- 21

Build your life on the foundation of your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit. Remain firm in the love of God, welcoming the mercy of Jesus Christ, our Lord, which leads to eternal life.

GOSPEL READING:           Mk 11: 27- 33

They were once again in Jerusalem. As Jesus was walking in the Temple, the chief priests, the teachers of the Law and the elders came to him and asked him, "What authority do you have to act like this? Who gave you authority to do the things you do?"

Jesus said to them, "I will ask you a question, only one, and if you give me an answer, then I will tell you what authority I have to act like this. Was John's preaching and baptism a work of God, or was it merely something human? Answer me."

And they kept arguing among themselves. "If we answer that it was a work of God, he will say, 'Why then did you not believe him?"' But neither could they answer before the people that the baptism of John was merely something human, for everyone regarded John as a prophet. So they answered Jesus, "We don't know," and Jesus said to them, "Neither will I tell you what authority I have to act as I do."

REFLECTION

In the first reading the Apostle Jude advices us to have faith and keep in the love of God. He advises us to pray to God for guidance in our actions and life.

In the Gospel reading the chief priests and teachers of the Law asked Jesus by what authority he did what he was doing. Seeing their malicious intent to trap him, Jesus outwits them by asking them to first answer his question, "Was John's [the Baptist] preaching and baptism a work of God, or was it merely something human?" If they answered "a work of God." he could retort, "Why then did you not believe him?" They could not answer, "merely something human," because people regarded John a true prophet.

Since they could not answer, Jesus told them that he would not tell them by what authority he was doing what he did.  The chief priests and teachers of the Law refused to believe in John's baptism and teaching because John's coming challenged their teaching and practices. They also refused to appreciate Jesus' teaching and works for the very same reason. Jesus violently condemned them for their hypocrisy and blindness, "Woe to you, teachers of the Law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs beautiful in appearance, but inside there are only dead bones and uncleanness. In the same way you appear as religious to others, but you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness within." (Mt 23: 27- 28)

Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers and for those who need our prayers the most. 

Have a good day!

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