Let There Be Light

 

Matthew 21: 23-27

The Authority of Jesus Challenged

²³ And when he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” ²⁴ Jesus answered them, “I also will ask you one question, and if you tell me the answer, then I also will tell you by what authority I do these things. ²⁵ The baptism of John, from where did it come? From heaven or from man?” And they discussed it among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ ²⁶ But if we say, ‘From man,’ we are afraid of the crowd, for they all hold that John was a prophet.” ²⁷ So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.

We celebrate the Memorial of St. Lucy, a huge day of joy in Sweden, their darkest, shortest day, which causes them to show their longing for light with elaborate, special foods, and the honoring of St. Lucy (Lux, light in Latin...Lucia, Lucy) and the "presence" of St. Lucy with a crown of burning candles.This Gospel passage really is separate from the festivities but reminds us that if we do not acknowledge and accept Jesus, but remain apart from him, we will always live in darkness. As with the chief priests and elders we have a choice. Let's make the right one.

Bro. Rene