Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Today’s text

Matthew 21:23-27

He had gone into the Temple and was teaching, when the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him and said, 'What authority have you for acting like this? And who gave you this authority?' In reply Jesus said to them, 'And I will ask you a question, just one; if you tell me the answer to it, then I will tell you my authority for acting like this. John's baptism: what was its origin, heavenly or human?' And they argued this way among themselves, 'If we say heavenly, he will retort to us, "Then why did you refuse to believe him?"; but if we say human, we have the people to fear, for they all hold that John was a prophet.' So their reply to Jesus was, 'We do not know.' And he retorted to them, 'Nor will I tell you my authority for acting like this.'

Reflection

And so it is in all ages: The powerful seek to maintain their power at the expense of truth, at the loss of soul.

Our lives shake in the winds of opinion and the changing styles and fads of the hour when position and status, reputation and influence replace our need to root our lives in the solidity of a truth that holds strong when all else is washed away.

Our conversations and our politics become empty and contentious (read the papers lately?) when our hearts seek standing, status, power and the good opinion of others more than the truth that satisfies the soul and creates common understanding and peaceful relations.

We are made to follow the scent of what is true, what is real, what is lasting, following it all the way into that Truth beyond all truths, all the way into the arms of One eager to receive us and give rest and purpose to our souls.

O Lord, may we seek what is real and lasting this day that we may fall into the arms of the Truth beyond all others. You.

Pr. David L. Miller