In this iconic biblical confrontation, Jesus masterfully

deflected the trap set by the religious leaders.

Jesus countered-Question: Was John the Baptist's

baptism of heavenly origin or of human origin?

If they said "human," they feared a backlash from the crowd,

who viewed John as a true prophet.

 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊    

Jude 17, 20b-25

But, most beloved,

Remember what the apostles of Christ Jesus, our Lord, announced to you.

But, dearly beloved, build your life on the foundation of your most holy faith,

praying in the Holy Spirit. Remain firm, in the love of God,

welcoming the mercy of Jesus Christ, our Lord, which leads to eternal life.

 

Try to convince those who doubt; others you will save, snatching them from condemnation.

Treat the others with compassion, but also with prudence, shunning even the clothes that touched their body.

To the one God, who is able to keep you from all sin, and bring you,

happy and without blemish before his own glory, to the one God, who saves us through Jesus Christ,

our Lord, to him be glory, honor, might and power, from past ages, now and forever. Amen.

 

Ps 63:2,3-4,5-6 

 My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.

 

＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊      Mark 11:27-33

They were once again in Jerusalem. As Jesus was walking in the temple, the chief priests,

the teachers of the law and the elders came to him and asked, "What authority do you have to act like this?

Who gave you authority to do the things you do?" Jesus said to them, 

"I will ask you a question, only one, and if you give me an answer,

then I will tell you what authority I have to act like this.

Was John's preaching and baptism a work of God,

or was it merely something human? Answer me."

 

And they kept arguing among themselves, "If we answer that it was a work of God,

he will say, 'Why then did you not believe him?"

But neither could they answer before the people that the baptism of John was

merely something human, for everyone regarded John as a prophet.

So they answered Jesus, "We don't know," and Jesus said to them,

"Neither will I tell you what authority I have to act as I do."

 

Gospel Reflection ：

He replied with dignity and wisdom.

In social media, users often encounter a phenomenon known as "bashing."

This term refers to criticism directed at individuals who have gained a certain level of influence online.

Such critiques can take many forms and intensities, often causing emotional distress to those targeted.

 

Even Jesus faced criticism during his time. He was accused of various things,

most notably the disbelief in his identity as the Messiah that Israel had been awaiting.

Confident in his identity, Jesus knew how to respond to harsh critiques.

 

Rather than reacting with aggression, he replied with dignity and wisdom.

We may also encounter our bashers and critics,

but today's Gospel provides a valuable example to imitate.

We can choose to respond with either aggression or prudence.

Let us look to Jesus as our model for handling criticism.