Third Monday of Advent – 15 December 2025
– You can ponder on the picture. For a method of praying with pictures click button below.
– You can pray on the words of Scripture. For methods of praying with scripture click button below.
– You can follow the suggestions in the daily ‘Reflection’.
– You can listen to the music
Today’s Scripture
Matthew 21:23-27 ESV
When Jesus entered the Temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, ‘By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?’ Jesus answered them, ‘I also will ask you one question, and if you tell me the answer, then I also will tell you by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John, from where did it come? From heaven or from man?’
And they discussed it among themselves, saying, ‘If we say, “From heaven”, he will say to us, “Why then did you not believe him?” But if we say, “From man”, we are afraid of the crowd, for they all hold that John was a prophet.’
So they answered Jesus, ‘We do not know.’ And he said to them, ‘Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.’
Reflection
Yesterday’s invitation was to bring everything, including our questions and doubts, into conversation with God, and to listen for God’s response. But what are we to do when we don’t seem to get a response, when God doesn’t seem to answer? This may be one of the most frequently voiced questions about prayer.
There may be many reasons, far more than can be explored here. But the reading today offers one: are we open to the signs we already have of God being present and at work? The interaction between Jesus and the religious leaders shows that those leaders weren’t willing to consider that Jesus was perhaps God’s promised one. And fearful of the opinions of others.
How open are we to the signs we have of God’s presence and what God is doing?
How far do we allow the opinions of others to govern our responses?
You may wish to reflect on these questions with God today.
Today’s Music
Grant me an open heart, sung by Heritage Singers