Numbers 24:2-7, 15-17 / Matthew 21:23-27
The main story of Balaam whose oracles we heard in the 1st reading, occurs during the close of forty years of wandering in the desert of the Israelites and before they crossed the river Jordan.
The Israelites have already defeated two kings east of the Jordan.
Balak, king of Moab (Numbers 22:2), consequently becomes alarmed, and sends elders and his messengers (Numbers 22:4-5), to Balaam, son of Beor, to induce him to come and curse Israel.
Balaam agreed but after a couple of divine interventions, he could only bless Israel instead of cursing them.
He explained to Balak that as a prophet, he could only speak words that God had put into his mouth and not otherwise.
In the gospel, the chief priests and elders wanted to challenge the authority of Jesus.
But when they were posed with the question of the authority of John the Baptist, they were thrown into confusion.
They knew in their heart of hearts that John the Baptist was a prophet sent by God.
Yet when it came to the question about who Jesus is, they did not look into their hearts to find the answer.
Advent is a time to quieten our hearts in prayer and reflection and meditate on the mystery of the Incarnation and on who Jesus is in our lives.
Blessed are we when we prepare a special place for Jesus in our hearts during this Advent so that His Word may be made real in our lives.