Monday of the Third Week of Advent – 15 December 2025
Num 24:2–7, 15–17a; Mt 21:23–27
Homily
Today's readings call us to purity of heart and truthfulness in our behaviour towards people and events.
The Pharisees were the religious leaders of the people of Israel, charged with preparing the people for the coming of the Messiah. But in Jesus' time, they had become a class of men focused on themselves, their importance and their privileges. As a result, when the Messiah whose coming they were tasked with preparing for arrived, they did not recognise him. And Jesus, who proclaims the Good News to the simple people in the Temple, has no Good News for them, because they are not willing to receive it.
In contrast, the first reading of our celebration presents us with the prophet Balaam, a pagan. Scripture presents him as a diviner in the service of the king of Moab. He is a simple, honest and upright man. Then the Spirit of God comes upon him. And when the king of Moab asks him to pronounce a curse against Israel, he instead pronounces a blessing, which is one of the most beautiful prophecies of the coming of the Messiah in the Old Testament.
Let us approach the celebration of Christmas with humility, like Balaam on his donkey, like pagans who still need conversion, and not like Pharisees convinced of their spiritual worth. And Jesus will reveal himself to us, perhaps even through the words of a donkey, as was the case with Balaam.
Armand Veilleux