A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke 11:47-54
The Lord said: "Woe to you who build the memorials of the prophets whom your fathers killed. Consequently, you bear witness and give consent to the deeds of your ancestors, for they killed them and you do the building. Therefore, the wisdom of God said, 'I will send to them prophets and Apostles; some of them they will kill and persecute' in order that this generation might be charged with the blood of all the prophets shed since the foundation of the world, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah who died between the altar and the temple building. Yes, I tell you, this generation will be charged with their blood! Woe to you, scholars of the law! You have taken away the key of knowledge. You yourselves did not enter and you stopped those trying to enter." When Jesus left, the scribes and Pharisees began to act with hostility toward him and to interrogate him about many things, for they were plotting to catch him at something he might say.
REFLECTION: "You have taken away the key of knowledge. You yourselves did not enter and you stopped those trying to enter."
The scribes were the scholars but missed teaching the people and therefore could not instruct. And if they did, they gave out wrong information. Many Jews were confused and therefore unable to follow the law.
God had given Moses the law yet it was not followed as taught and it was not practical to follow the law which had become so cumbersome. The key of knowledge was taken away by the Scribes. The Scribes were shutting themselves and the people away from salvation. Pride and envy made the Scribes insufferable. And here was Jesus , the "Key of Knowledge" in their midst and they were busy plotting how to catch him. They refused to recognize Him.
If you pick up the Sunday homilies from different churches, the interpretations and knowledge imparted by the different deacons or priests, can be very helpful but quite different. The word or knowledge of God through the Gospel of forgiveness, love, suffering and pain is there but we need to be shown and taught how to live life with both the good and the bad of this world. The Holy Spirit will make the words of God stand out, come alive and He can make new and different words for our understanding.
In the movie There be Dragons, the young Jose Escriva's young life during the Spanish Civil War exemplifies that one can suffer and still love by holding on to truth. It is a story of betrayal, hate, envy, revenge and love. The future St Jose Escriva persisted in his message of love, spread the Knowledge of God and reconciliation.
God Bless
