From heaven or from men?

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel:

Numbers 24:2-7, 15-17 Psalm 25:4-9 Matthew 21:23-27

Matthew 21:25 The baptism of John, whence was it? From heaven or from men?" And they argued with one another, "If we say, `From heaven,' he will say to us, `Why then did you not believe him?'

At Christmas time things like the virgin birth and other issues resurface as we wrestle with the miraculous. Sacraments are part of that miraculous discussion as well. Signs are things that the Lord does to authenticate his words to us. These often take the form of miracles, things that are beyond what we would call normal.
Baptism is one of those signs. Here it clearly has to do with the identity of Christ and his authority.
The chief priests and the elders were questioning Jesus' authority. In so doing they could not admit that the baptism was from God.
Do we have trouble admitting that these things we call sacraments are from God? Are we then questioning Jesus' authority?

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to truly believe in the miraculous. To truly believe that you are God and that you have come for me, and nothing can take me from you.

Amen