In the Gospel reading, John the Baptist was questioned on his identity. Here there was a delegation sent by Sanhedrin to look into the activities of 'an authorised teacher'. Levites were assigned specific duties concerning the tabernacle and temple (Num 3:17-37).

They had teaching responsibilities, and it was probably in this role that they were sent with the priests to question John the Baptist, who denied that he was the Prophet. Being the forerunner of Jesus, John knew his mission was to call the people to repent in preparation for the coming of the Messiah. John's answer became progressively terser when questioned by the Sanhedrin and the Levites. He certainly knew his identity!

What about us as disciples of Christ?

In the first reading, John the evangelist did not deny human teachers (1 Jn.2: 27) but to acknowledge that the work of the Spirit through the Apostles is the truth. The teaching ministry of the Holy Spirit does not involve the revelation of new truth but the development of the capacity to appreciate and appropriate God's truth already revealed. This calls for the need to remain with Christ always in our Christian responses to daily challenges.