The Authority of Jesus Questioned

Today's Reflections

                               

The Authority of Jesus Questioned

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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:

By what authority are you doing these things? This question that the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders ask Jesus has a special reference to the cleansing of the Temple (cf Mk 11:15-17), which Jesus did soon after he entered Jerusalem. Jesus does not answer them, because they are challenging him rather than searching for the truth. We today know the answer: the authority of Jesus is from God. He is sent by God, and the Father has put all things into his power (cf Jn 13:3).

Knowing the authority of Jesus, do we in practice submit to his authority? Do we submit ourselves totally to him? Are all our affairs—not only the religious ones—subjected to the Lordship of Jesus Christ?

Sing, “Do what Thou (Lord) wilt,

command, and I obey” (“Take and Receive,”

song adaptation of St. Ignatius’ Suscipe).