Today's readings are filled with irony.
The first reading taken from the book of Numbers, reaches into the memory of the Israelites wandering in the desert and seeking entrance into the promised land.
Upon the scene arrives the Pagan Prophet, Balaam. The King of Moab, Balak, tries to coerce the prophet Balaam to speak a curse against the Israelites on four different occasions. The prophet, though pagan, is humble enough to seek guidance from the Lord. Each time the prophet speaks, to the chagrin of Balak the king, he speaks a blessing not only on Israel but on all the land as he peers into the future and sees a "star that shall advance from Jacob, and a staff that shall arise from Israel." With the blessing comes a curse to the proud of heart.
In the gospel, the blessing spoke long ago by Balaam, makes himself known in the temple area. The star of Jacob shines brightly and the staff of Israel wields authority as a He speaks. Unlike Balaam, the chief priests and the elders, bound by their pride, are unable to recognize the blessing of God in their midst. Like Balak, they seek to coerce Jesus into a trap.
The humble heart seeks guidance and finds a blessings; the proud of heart deny the guidance and find themselves accursed.
In the end, the elders and chief priests are baffled and afraid and are left with no answer for "we do not know" is all they can muster in response. Their pride inhibits them from recognizing the blessing of the ages, the authority sent from on high to enlighten those in darkness.
"We do not know" is the battle cry of the proud, the battle cry of those who seek to coerce rather than follow. "We do not know" is insufficient, it is a copout.
Jesus demands that we choose a side. He demands that we humbly recognize his authority and allow ourselves to be guided into a life filled with blessings abundant. Advent is a season of humility by which we prepare to receive the one who is to guide us.
Excerpt from William of St, Thiery, from On the Contemplation of God:
"Truly you alone are the Lord. Your dominion is our salvation, for to serve you is to be nothing more than to be saved by you. O Lord, salvation is your gift and your blessing is upon your people; what else is your salvation but receiving from you the gift of loving you or being loved by you?"
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