FIRST READING
A reading from the Book of Numbers (Numbers 24: 2-7, 15-17a)
“A star shall come forth out of Jacob.”
In those days: Balaam lifted up his eyes, and saw Israel encamping tribe by tribe. And the Spirit of God came upon him, and he took up his discourse, and said, “The oracle of Balaam the son of Beor, the oracle of the man whose eye is opened, the oracle of him who hears the words of God, who sees the vision of the Almighty, falling down, but having his eyes uncovered: How fair are your tents, O Jacob, your encampments, O Israel! Like valleys that stretch afar, like gardens beside a river, like aloes that the Lord has planted, like cedar trees beside the waters. Water shall flow from his buckets, and his seed shall be in many waters, his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted.” And he took up his discourse, and said, “The oracle of Balaam the son of Beor, the oracle of the man whose eye is opened, the oracle of him who hears the words of God, and knows the knowledge of the Most High, who sees the vision of the Almighty, falling down, but having his eyes uncovered: I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near: a star shall come forth out of Jacob, and a sceptre shall rise out of Israel.”
The word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM (Psalm 25:4-5ab.6 and 7cd.8—9 (R. 4b))
R/. Teach me your paths, O Lord.
O Lord, make me know your ways.
Teach me your paths.
Guide me in your truth, and teach me;
for you are the God of my salvation. R
Remember your compassion, O LORD,
and your merciful love, for they are from of old.
In your merciful love remember me,
because of your goodness, O Lord. R
Good and upright is the Lord;
he shows the way to sinners.
He guides the humble in right judgement;
to the humble he teaches his way. R
ALLELUIA (Psalm 85:8)
Alleluia. Alleluia. Let us see, O Lord, your mercy, and grant us your salvation
Alleluia.
GOSPEL
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Matthew 21:23-27)
“The baptism of John, where was it from?”
At that time: When Jesus entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” Jesus answered them, “I also will ask you a question; and if you tell me the answer, then I also will tell you by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John, where was it from? From heaven or from men?” And they argued with one another, “If we say, ‘From heaven, ’he will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him? ’But if we say, ‘From men,’ we are afraid of the multitude; for all hold that John was a prophet.” So they answered Jesus, “We do not know. ”And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Today’s Reflection
Once God is with you, you really have nothing to fear. Do you see the confusion that the pride and wickedness of the chief priests and the elders of the people threw them into while they were trying to trap Jesus (cf Mt 21:23-27)? So shall the confusion be in the camp of any evil group that is gathered now to discuss your downfall. Again, those who labour to pull you down shall only be laboring in vain and working for your good because, Just as God changed the evil mission of Balaam for the good of his people (see Num 24:2ff), so shall the curses they project against you turn to blessings for you. Only make sure that you are for God in all things and all will be well with you. Amen