St Lucy | Monday 13 December 2021

Today is Monday the 13 December, the feast of St Lucy, in the third week of Advent.

The nuns of Mary, Queen of Apostles, sing O Come O Come Emmanuel.

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew.

Matthew 21:23-27

When he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, ‘By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?’ Jesus said to them, ‘I will also ask you one question; if you tell me the answer, then I will also tell you by what authority I do these things. Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?’ 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, “Of human origin”, we are afraid of the crowd; for all regard John as a prophet.’ So they answered Jesus, ‘We do not know.’ And he said to them, ‘Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.


Matthew’ gospel is here rushing towards its end, to the terrible death that Jesus is to die. What sense did you get when you heard the passage read? What was the atmosphere like? The dialogue?  

In this reading his opponents ask Jesus about his “authority”. Why are they asking this question, do you think?

Now listen as the story is read again, and ask yourself, “What is Jesus thinking as this episode unfolds?”

Finally, you might like to put your thoughts together in a conversation with God. What would you like to say to God today?

O Wisdom
Lord and Ruler
Root of Jesse
Key of David
Rising Sun
King of the Nations
Emmanuel
Come, Lord Jesus