Woe to you, scholars of the law! You have taken away the key of knowledge. You yourselves did not enter and you stopped those trying to enter” (Lk 11:52).
We all yearn to be loved, to belong, to be accepted, and fulfilled. God knows the depth of our yearning because as St. Augustine taught, God knows us better than we know ourselves. For God sees past the apparent goods and disordered affections that we cling to and cloud our vision, and he invites us to take steps into his light that we might see the truth of his love and our fulfillment that can only be satisfied fully in him. From that core communion all else in our lives can be properly ordered.
To willingly prevent access to those who seek, as did those “scholars of the law” for whom Jesus convicts in today’s Gospel, is an egregious offense. Especially in the way that Jesus describes. They themselves have the key to enter, do not avail themselves of the gift they have received, and worse, prevent others from going in!
I remember a time in eighth grade where I had wanted to ask a girl out to the school dance. I confided this hope with someone but of course, the word got out. A few days later at the beginning of math class, our teacher announced to the whole class that I was the first one he had ever heard of being rejected before I could even ask someone out. First time I heard about it, so a double blast, the news and how I found out. I wanted to melt into the floor. Teachers have been entrusted to provide guidance and a safe place to learn. Their words can tear down or empower. Woe to those “take away the key of knowledge.”
The scholars of the law, as well as the scribes and the Pharisees were charged to teach and lead people to God. Instead they were making it harder by laying heavy burdens upon them and not raising a finger to help. Jesus fulfilled the Law. His teachings further built on the Torah and challenged the people even further. The difference was that he invited his listeners to align themselves to him, for his yoke is easy and his burden is light. Jesus meets us where we are ant then strengthens and transforms us when we trust in him and seek his strength.
Jesus is the “key of knowledge”. He offered himself to the scholars but they refused to receive him or his message. Jesus came to open up heaven for all, in the humanity that he assumed. He called out the Pharisees, scribes, and scholars of the Law with the hope that they would repent and enter into the kingdom of Heaven. Unfortunately, many hardened their hearts further, and “began to act with hostility toward him”.
Jesus offers us the same invitation today to repent and believe in the Gospel. We are to love and support one another, even when some express their hunger in unpleasant ways. Here it is even more important that we resist reacting in kind. Instead, let us be patient, give another the benefit of the doubt, convict as Jesus did as necessary, and be willing to listen with our spirit instead of our ego for what their need truly may be. May we receive the “key of knowledge” not to lock but to open the door for others to the healing, peace, love, and a clearer understanding of the teachings of Jesus.
As Pope Leo XIV shared at the Mediterranean Youth Council on September 5, 2025: “What we need is to cultivate peace in our own hearts and in our relationships, to let it blossom in our daily actions, to work for reconciliation in our homes, our communities, our schools and workplaces.”
Let us pray for Pope Leo’s full and complete recovery. Photo from Pope Leo praying Rosary with children on October 1, 2026. Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTNNews/Vatican Pool.
