The Holy Martyr Agrippina
Romans 15:7-16; Matthew 12:38-45
Apostles’ Fast. Abstention from meat and foods that contain meat.
Read Matthew 12:38-45
We refer to Jesus as the Teacher. He refers to Himself as a teacher. But His disciples do not use this term. Why then do the scribes and Pharisees use this title when addressing Jesus in today’s reading? They are in fact ridiculing Him. They have no intention of learning anything from the Lord. They are His adversaries. They have closed their eyes to the wonders He does in the miracles He performs and their ears to His teaching which He offers freely to any who will hear. They have hardened their hearts. They have closed Him off and have become self-gazing. They reject our Lord, what He does, and what He teaches (something greater than Jonah, something greater than Solomon).
Do I find myself like the scribes and Pharisees at times? Do I have difficulty in accepting one of our Lord’s teachings? Am I challenged? When this happens, do I simply write off that teaching like an item on a grocery list that I no longer desire?
No. I desire a heart of flesh (as the Lord desires). I do not want a hardened heart. Perhaps I could find a way to listen and to consider. In the words of a friend of mine (Fr. Daniel Dozier), “Our first inclination when faced with a Church teaching we do not like or understand should be, ‘Lord, I believe, help my unbelief!’”