In today’s reflection on the daily mass readings, Fr Richard considers the importance of making up our minds in relation to the things of God, even when this is difficult.
Readings for Monday of the third week of Advent: Numbers 24.2-7, 15-17a; Psalm 25.4-5, 6-7, 8-9; Matthew 21.23-27. Text of readings can be found here.
It was once said of a famous Anglican bishop, “on every important issue, he nails his colours firmly to the fence”. Sometimes, perhaps, once can be forgiven for hedging one’s bets, and not firmly deciding one way or another on a certain issue. We might be concerned about upsetting one side or another, or the matter may genuinely be a hard one to decide upon. On other occasions, however, we are called to be decisive: are we in favour of something, or are we against it?
The chief priests and elders in today’s Gospel tried nailing their colours to the fence when Jesus challenged them about John the Baptist’s authority, after they asked him about his own authority. They were afraid of being seen either as hypocrites, or antagonising the people, who believed in John. And so they replied, “We do not know”.
An altogether different approach is shown by the prophet Balaam in our first reading. Previously, the local king Balak had sent Balaam to curse Israel as they passed through his land on their way to the Promised Land. On his way to carry out this mission, Balaam, riding his donkey, had his way blocked by an angel. Famously, the donkey began speaking to tell his master what was going on. Then Balaam’s eyes were opened, and he realised that he must bless Israel, not curse them. This he proceeds to do in today’s passage, much to the annoyance of King Balak. Faced with a decision, Balaam chose the right course, even if it was one which would get him in trouble with his master.
When it comes to the things of God, we cannot be neutral. Proclaiming God’s truth in a hostile world may make us unpopular, but we must nail our colours to the mast rather than the fence, so that all people may behold that truth and be drawn to it.
Mass today (Monday 15 December) is at 6.30pm in St Dyfrig & St Samson, Grangetown.
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