Homily of Monday of the 3rd week in advent.
Numbers 24:2-7,15-17, Matthew 21:23-27
Jesus’s authority was questioned by the pharisees and elders when they saw how he acted and spoke in the temple. They asked him, “What authority have you for acting like this? And who gave you this authority?”
We need authority to exercise our power. An authority is a person, organisation, or entity that possesses the legitimate power, right, or expertise to make decisions, enforce rules, give guidance, or command obedience within a specific domain or context. Authority is often recognised and accepted by others due to social, legal, or institutional agreements.
We can gain authority by law, through our expertise, position or by personal influence through our character. An authority must be recognised as such, it must possess the ability to influence or enforce action. It must be responsible and respect boundaries.
The elders were astonished or bothered because Jesus was seen speaking in the first-person singular. He is an authority above all other authorities. He does not require human or earthly acceptance to exercise his authority. His public appearance was frowned upon because he did not follow the norms of conventional authority. His authority has no boundary. He is a Universal King.
The Lord Jesus decided not to give a definite answer to his interrogators because he realised that they were simply against him because of the threat his teaching poses to their relevance, and not because they are fascinated by his teachings. He asked them:
“John’s baptism: where did it come from: heaven or man?’ And they argued it out this way among themselves, ‘If we say from heaven, he will retort, “Then why did you refuse to believe him?”; but if we say from man, we have the people to fear, for they all hold that John was a prophet.’ So their reply to Jesus was, ‘We do not know.’ And he retorted, ‘Nor will I tell you my authority for acting like this”
The most confused people are those who know the truth but refuse to accept it. May we always recognise the authority of God in our lives. Amen
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