Monday of the Third Week of Advent

R.(4) Teach me your ways, O Lord.
Your ways, O LORD, make known to me;
teach me your paths,
Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my savior.
R. Teach me your ways, O Lord.
Remember that your compassion, O LORD,
and your kindness are from of old.
In your kindness remember me,
because of your goodness, O LORD.
R. Teach me your ways, O Lord.
Good and upright is the LORD;
thus he shows sinners the way.
He guides the humble to justice,
he teaches the humble his way.
R. Teach me your ways, O Lord.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Show us, LORD, your love,
and grant us your salvation.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

–   Lord Jesus, make your Church be a star that proclaims that you are present among your people when we love one another and have a sense of justice, we pray:

–   Lord, let those who wander about without knowing where they are going discover in the gospel something that gives meaning to their lives, above all the person of Jesus, we pray:

–   Lord, as we prepare for Christmas, may you become closer and more real to us these days, we pray:

Prayer over the Gifts

Lord God, in these signs of bread and wine
your Son Jesus gives himself to us.
May we learn from him
that we have to give up
our selfish interests and our attitudes of superiority
if we want to reshape this world
into a place where all can live in peace
and into the sign of the higher reality
where you will be everything to all,
for ever and ever.

Prayer after Communion

Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
your Son has been with us
in this eucharistic celebration.
May our unity here in you be the promise
of his presence among us in life
as our God-with-us.
Let him go with us all the way,
that our hope may never die,
for he is the way, our way
to a life and a future
that will last for ever and ever.

Blessing

I see the Lord Jesus as close to us; I see him as the star of our lives. May we see him as our Savior and friend. May God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

REFLECTIONS

Clericalism Vs. Love

Today’s Gospel from Mathew presents Jesus being quizzed of his credentials – his authority – to do the things that he had done in the temple. What did Jesus do in the temple? The parallel text in Mark 11 tells the story of Jesus cleansing the temple which infuriated the temple authorities. The Chief priests and elders of the people approached Jesus on the next day and raised this question.

“Who do you think you are?” This is how they confront Jesus. “If you have no credentials, get out from here.” Sometimes, our churches and church-run institutions patronise this attitude of the chief priests and elders to overrule the concerns and voices of the faithful. Deep rooted clericalism in the Church and its institutions sometimes turn pastors into dictators and autocrats who wield their “authority” to rule over their faithful, and to suppress disagreeing voices. This is where Pope Francis opens wide the windows of the Church, calling for a synodal Church.

the chief priests and elders who questioned Jesus' authority were hypocrites. They focused only on slavishly following rules and rituals, and criticized those who did not. “By What authority do you do this?” The elders are in effect telling Jesus, "We are the people who are authorised to do things here. The discipline of the temple is untouchable, it is sacred."

Pope Francis compared their attitude to the situation when he was a boy and it was forbidden for anyone to have anything to eat or drink or even accidentally swallow a drop of water while brushing the teeth before receiving Communion.
The pope said, as a boy he went to confess that he had received Communion even though he thought a drop of water had gone down" that morning.
"Pope Pius XII freed us from that heavy cross of eucharistic fasting," he said. But when the pope changed the rules, there were people who termed it as heresy! Because he touched the discipline of the church. But Pope Pius had done only what Jesus would have, Pope Francis said. “Pope Pius saw the people suffering, especially when it was hot… But, Many Pharisees in the Church were scandalized. Many.”
There are many pharisees around even today, with so rigid a mind-set that refuses God’s mercy and compassion. Sometimes we behave with the pharisaic attitude and refuse to be cleansed of our hypocrisy. We quote the bible and the church-regulations to prove the other wrong.
The Gospel invites us to examine how do we exercise authority in our own lives – as parents, teachers, employers, priests, religious or in any capacity where we have some responsibility with regard to others.

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Authority Rooted in God’s Will

Today’s Gospel reflects the conflict between Jesus and the religious authorities of His time. These leaders questioned His authority after He cleansed the Temple, seeking to discredit Him. Their obsession with control blinded them to God’s truth, leading to their ultimate rejection of Jesus. This theme resonates deeply with contemporary events in the Catholic Church.

Throughout history, human institutions, whether political, social, or religious, have struggled with power. Recently, we have seen tensions within the Church over reform, accountability, and tradition. Pope Francis' calls for synodality invite us to reflect on authority as a means of service rather than control, echoing Jesus’ example. Similarly, if we strive for justice and freedom, we may encounter resistance from those in power. These struggles challenge us to live out the Gospel’s call to be fearless witnesses to the truth.

Jesus’ response to the religious leaders reminds us that true authority comes from God. By asking about John the Baptist’s mission, He exposed their dishonesty and fear of losing power. This invites us to examine how we exercise authority in our lives—be it in our families, workplaces, or communities. Do we lead with humility and service, or do we seek to dominate?

As we navigate today’s complex world, let us find courage in Jesus’ example. Amidst pressures to conform or remain silent, may we remain steadfast in faith, trusting that God’s authority surpasses all human power. Let us pray for the Church and society, that we may seek God’s will and serve the common good.

"Teach me your paths, Lord; guide me in your truth" (Ps 25:4-5). May we always walk in the light of God’s authority.