Monday of the Third Week of Advent
Gospel: Matthew 21:23-27
The Authority of Jesus

In our daily lives, we often act according to our own will, choosing what we deem to be the right path, and resorting to all means to question those who teach us skills for surviving in this ever-changing world in accordance with the wisdom of life. At times, we are just like the chief priests and elders of the people who came to confront Jesus today (cf. Mt 21:23-25)—we intend to exert pressure on those whom we perceive as threats through methods we consider appropriate, seeking to force them to abandon their positions and submit to us.

We must never behave like those chief priests and elders, who spoke with the tongues of this perishable flesh. Lest by such words, we fall into carnal presumption; even though we have received the baptism of Christ and belong to Him, our souls and bodies would still remain trapped in the sin that leads to death. When we speak, we should utter the words that God has placed in our mouths, so that our thoughts, words, and deeds may be consistent with all that we have received. In this way, those who interact with us will, through the teachings we proclaim faithfully—teachings rooted in the Church founded by Christ Himself upon Saint Peter (cf. Mt 16:17-19)—join us in making straight the way of the Lord, so as to prepare ourselves for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

©Totus Tuus 2025
Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica 2025