THE REAL SOURCE OF AUTHORITY
The Gospel of Mark reminds us of the people in authority who forgot the very source of their authority. They asked Jesus the source of His authority: “By what authority are you doing these things? Or who gave you this authority to do them?” Strange that they were asking Jesus when they should be asking it to themselves. They were caught by their own trap. They could not recognize the fact that they were blinded and could not see the Author of Life unfolding before them: the blind see, the lame walk, the good news preached to them. They would be focused on astrology but would not see the One who held the stars. They were so focused on the issue of blasphemy but they could not see the good news of the glory of God.
In contrast, the psalmist sings of the ardent longing: “My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.” It acknowledges God’s authority: “Thus have I gazed toward you in the sanctuary to see your power and your glory, for your kindness is a greater good than life; my lips shall glorify you.”
Jesus was radical in His approach: He shook their lifestyle and the very source of their power. Earlier, Jesus overturned the tables of moneychangers and traders because they have desecrated the Temple.
What is the real source of authority? The source is the Spirit of wisdom, courage and love. Even more important is the end of all authority — it does not call attention to itself but proclaims, “Glory be to this only God our savior, through Jesus Christ, our Lord.”
Authority is not lording over others but laying down one’s life so that others may live! Fr. Teodulo P. Gonzales, S.J
REFLECTION QUESTIONS: What are your traps or excuses before you acknowledge the Author of Life? If you discern your life, how do you recognize the traps of the enemy?
Lord Jesus, help me to liberate myself from the traps of false authority in my life.
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