The Prophets.

"'Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.'"  Luke 13:35 (NRSV)

This relates to the Prophets.

The Prophets are sent by God to criticize the leadership of the Temple.

Because it is the corruption and lack of understanding of the leaders - the shepherds - which causes the suffering of the people. 

And so we see the ancient Prophets of Israel criticizing both the religious and the political leadership of their time.

Jesus is firmly in this line although he reserves his harshest words for the religious leadership.

"'you did not enter yourselves, and you hindered those who were entering..'"  Luke 11;52 (NRSV)

Unfortunately this is what got Jesus crucified.

"'Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it.'"  Luke 13;34 (NRSV)

And this is part of a pattern.

God's Prophets are killed by the leaders because they fear losing their privileges.

The Prophets' criticism is intended to improve the teachings and practices of religion.

In some Buddhist monasteries there is one day of the year set aside for the mendicants to criticize their superiors.

This is done to stop complaisance and corruption creeping in.

I suspect we need more than one day in the year to refine the religious and political leadership of our world.

[Scripture quotations (marked NRSV) are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission.  All rights reserved.]

Photo Credit: Sistine Chapel.