Tess Koning, member of our Parish Pastoral Council and Principal of St Peter’s Primary School, presents our Gospel Reflections this week and today reads from the Gospel of Luke (11: 47-54), in which Jesus says ‘Alas for you who have taken away the key of knowledge! You have not gone in yourselves and have prevented others from going in who wanted to.’

Tess says today’s Gospel is a hard hitting one, following on from previous verses of Luke’s Gospel, where Jesus continues to challenge the religious leaders of his day on their double standards. They demanded from others standards which they themselves did not follow and while they built tombs for the prophets, they opposed their message and didn’t listen to the Word of God.

What does Jesus mean when he says they have taken away the key of knowledge? The Pharisees and scribes held the “office of the keys” since they were the official interpreters of the scriptures. Their interpretation of the scriptures was so distorted and difficult for others to understand, that people were “shut off” to the scriptures. By doing this, not only did the Pharisees and scribes shut themselves to heaven, but also hindered others from understanding God’s word. Their pride and envy led to them rejecting the prophets, including Jesus.

As scripture says, Jesus is the “key of David” who opens heaven to those who accept him as Lord and Saviour. He is the “Wisdom of God” and source of everlasting life. This wisdom can only be received by the humble of heart, who are ready to hear God’s word.

Tess closes by praying the beautiful prayer of St Theresa of Avila, which reminds us of this: “Govern all by your wisdom, O Lord, so that my soul may always be serving you as you will, and not as I may choose. Do not punish me, I beseech you, by granting that which I wish or ask, if it offends your love, which would always live in me. Let me die to myself so that I may serve you; let me live to you, who in yourself are the true life.”