Readings:
Ephesians 1:1-10
Luke 11:47-54

Reflection:
When I read today’s Gospel passage, I sought refuge in considering a reflection on the first reading from Ephesians. It is a hymnic blessing of the big picture of our salvation in Jesus Christ. But how could my words add anything to the text itself and the beauty of its message? So, I returned to try to understand today’s Gospel, leaving Ephesians to your own embrace.
The Gospel continues Jesus’ polemic against the lawyers who impose on people burdens hard to carry but do nothing to help them. It seems to me that today’s verses are cryptic cross words against these lawyers! Surely, it is okay to build monuments to past prophets. Jesus says no, not if only honour dead prophets, not living ones who speak for God. Jesus references Abel and Zechariah, the first and last recorded murders in his Hebrews Scriptures. He implies that these lawyers fail to respond to God’s word in Jesus just as has occurred during the length of God’s dealings with God’s people. Indeed they do, as they go on to plot to catch him out.
Do we build monuments to past prophets, cherry picking the bits we are comfortable with in what they said and did but not acting on the whole message? And what of today’s prophets? I suspect most readers of this reflection would agree with me that Pope Francis is a great prophet for us today, yet many in the American Church, including many bishops would not agree. If I am honest enough, I also admit that there are other Catholic figures whose perspectives I do not value. I pray that I can avoid the arrogance and certitude that underpins this, and that God can bless you and me with the gift of discernment, the ‘key of knowledge’ in today’s Gospel.
John McGrath is a parishioner of St Brigid’s Marrickville.