Today's Reflection
The Authority of Jesus Questioned
Mt 21:23-27
23When
[Jesus] had come into the temple area, the chief priests and the elders
of the people approached him as he was teaching and said, “By what
authority are you doing these things? And who gave you this authority?” 24Jesus
said to them in reply, “I shall ask you one question, and if you answer
it for me, then I shall tell you by what authority I do these things. 25Where
was John’s baptism from? Was it of heavenly or of human origin?” They
discussed this among themselves and said, “If we say ‘Of heavenly
origin,’ he will say to us, ‘Then why did you not believe him?’ 26But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ we fear the crowd, for they all regard John as a prophet.” 27So
they said to Jesus in reply, “We do not know.” He himself said to them,
“Neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things.”
By what authority are you doing these things? Mt
21-22 describes five controversies between Jesus and the Jewish
leaders. Today’s Gospel, about the authority of Jesus, is the first of
the five.
The
chief priests and elders question Jesus on his authority to do “these
things,” that is: his entry to Jerusalem and subsequent cleansing of the
temple, his healings done with forgiveness of sins, and his
unconventional teachings and unique commentaries about the Torah. The
chief priests have legitimate power based on the Law of Moses and their
priestly lineage and bloodline. Rabbis have legitimacy with their formal
schooling on the Law and their ordination.
In
comparison, Jesus is seen as a “self-made, self-proclaimed” prophet and
teacher from Galilee. However, many have a high regard for him because
of his integrity. He practices what he teaches.
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What about persons impress you?
Their lineage? Their position and wealth?
Their achievements? Their learnings?
How important is integrity for you?
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