The Authority of Jesus Questioned

Today's Reflections

The Authority of Jesus Questioned

Mk 11:27-33

²⁷[Jesus and his disciples] returned once more to Jerusalem. As he was walking in the temple area, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders approached him ²⁸and said to him, “By what authority are you doing these things? Or who gave you this authority to do them?”  ²⁹Jesus said to them, “I shall ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. ³⁰Was John’s baptism of heavenly or of human origin? Answer me.” ³¹They discussed this among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘Of heavenly origin,’ he will say, ‘[Then] why did you not believe him?’ ³²But shall we say, ‘Of human origin’?”—they feared the crowd, for they all thought John really was a prophet. ³³So they said to Jesus in reply, “We do not know.” Then Jesus said to them, “Neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

Reflection:

Who gave you this authority? The question the chief priests, scribes, and elders pose to Jesus suggests a reflection on authority. Defined as “the power of self-government in the Church which is derived from its foundation by Christ and from his teachings,” authority implies the cooperation of all members toward their ultimate sanctification in Christ. The Dogmatic Constitution on the Church states, “There is only one Spirit who, according to His own richness and the needs of the ministries, gives His different gifts for the welfare of the Church (cf 1 Cor 12:1-11). What has a special place among these gifts is the grace of the apostles to whose authority the Spirit Himself subjected even those who were endowed with charisms” (Lumen Gentium, n 7)

How is authority to be exercised?

To have authority is not to lord over or to take control of those who are under our care, not to demand special treatment and privilege, or not to promote oneself. Positions and power are given for better service, to do more, and to work better. As Jesus declares, “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all” (Mk 9:35).

How do we use authority?

How do we relate with those in authority or treat people under our care?