Luke 11: 47-54
The Lord said:
“Woe to you! For you build the tombs of the prophets whom your ancestors killed. So you are witnesses and approve of the deeds of your ancestors; for they killed them, and you build their tombs. Therefore also the Wisdom of God said, ‘I will send them prophets and apostles, some of whom they will kill and persecute,’ so that this generation may 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 perished between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, it will be charged against this generation. Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge; you did not enter yourselves, and you hindered those who were entering.”
When he went outside, the scribes and the Pharisees began to be very hostile toward him and to cross-examine him about many things, lying in wait for him, to catch him in something he might say.
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
Don’t “Gatekeep” the Message
“Mom, why are you asking questions about trendy words?” This was my 15-year-old speaking to me in the car the other day. I had asked her about a term that is everywhere on social media - “gatekeeping.” Apparently in pop culture, one can “gatekeep” a variety of things: great skin care, delicious sour candy, or musicians that are talented, but haven’t broken into mainstream. Gatekeeping, says my daughter, is a way to keep things that are special, all to yourself. Check out these scribes and Pharisees trending 2000+ years later! And WOE to those in today’s Gospel that Jesus calls out. Much to the discomfort of these keepers of the keys, Jesus’ way is invitation, never exclusion. He is about throwing open the gates for all those who seek.
How might we welcome others into something that we find special or the tiniest bit extraordinary? Do you have something in your own life, or self, that you’ve been holding onto too tightly? Be free to share it. God gives us enough.
—Amanda B. Angaiak is the Director of Catholic Schools of Fairbanks, and President of Monroe Foundation, Inc. in Fairbanks, Alaska.
Prayer
Lord, might that we be free! With our knowledge. With our prayers. With our hearts. Help us get there. To recognize your hand in the miraculous. And realize - Nothing is ours to withhold. Amen
—Amanda B. Angaiak