4th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Speaking with Authority
Many people in authority from government to civic groups to the church, has given authority a bad name.
Thus, many persons in authority are treated either with fear or suspicion. Fear, because those in authority merely dictates on his/her people and demand obedience. This is authoritarianism. Suspicion, because those in authority do not practice what they preach. They either live in hypocrisy or employ fake news. Thus, in our world today, authority is equated with either grave abuse of power or severe lack of authenticity.
This is unfortunate as authority originally had a positive meaning. The root word of authority is Old French autor, from Latin auctor, from augere ‘increase, originate, promote’. Thus, to have authority is to be a model, encourager or promoter of leadership. Those in authority aims to inspire, empower and encourage.
Jesus in the gospel today preached with genuine authority. Unlike the scribes, Jesus taught and minister to the people with authority.
The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes (Mark 1: 22).
Today’s gospel of Mark narrates the beginning of the ministry of Jesus’ proclamation of God’s kingdom. The driving out of the evil spirit from a man in the synagogue was the first miracle of Jesus recorded in the gospel of Mark.
Jesus’ driving out the evil spirit was just one of the signs that the kingdom of God has already arrived as Jesus begins his ministry. Through Jesus, the power of evil will never prevail over the power of the Kingdom of God.
Jesus’ authority and attitude to the man with unclean spirit in the gospel shows God’s power over evil. Jesus is unruffled even when the unclean spirit strike fear into the hearts of the people. Jesus in driving out the evil spirit did not use any incantations; he does not plead. Rather than Jesus being afraid of them, the demons are afraid of him. Upon seeing them, they shriek. He calmly commands–“shut up and get out.”A moment later all is still. A former victim is now a free man and the people marvel.
Clearly, Jesus had authority. It was this authority of Jesus that amazed the crowd. That authority sprang from Jesus’s relationship with God. Jesus taught as God’s spokesman, whereas the Scribes taught from their own reflections or understanding of the law and its authority. It was the 1st Century equivalent of name-dropping. The scribes habitually lend credence to their proclamations by appealing to this Rabbi or that teacher. But Jesus did not name-drop. In contrast Jesus doesn’t say which other teachers he agrees with, but simply declares what God says. Jesus’ reliance on God’s word impressed the common people, and they flocked to Him in droves.
While the Scribes operated in the letter of the law, Jesus operated in the Spirit of the law. Jesus teachings concerned itself primarily with the weightier issues which uphold the letter of the Law; such as love, compassion, mercy, inner purity, humility, integrity, and so much more. Jesus’s words gave life and hope; they were an encouragement to many who heard them, because Jesus spoke with authority outside the law.
Jesus was authentic—who he is matches his words. He displayed power in words and actions/miracles. He communicated life rather than legalism. He was willing to give up His life for others, rather than seeking self gain. He was passionate. He communicated beyond mere information, into emotion. Truth that is intellectually and emotionally relevant.
In today’s manipulative use of authority and lack of authenticity, Jesus invites us to share in his living out and preaching with authority. Once we are in Christ, the enemy has no more authority or power over us.
In sharing Jesus’ authority, we will preach neither for our own glory nor seeking to be accepted or thought well of, but for the coming of the Kingdom of God and the service of his flock. We will preach with zeal, trusting that our preaching will move others for God’s kingdom. Most importantly, we will live a holy life in accord with what we preach. Of course, nobody’s perfect, and we don’t have any illusions that we can reach perfection in this world. Imperfections are fine as long as we sincerely admit it and lead us to further trust in Jesus and further growth in doing the will of God and exercising service with fellow sinners.
Authority ought not to have a bad name. We need to speak with authority—the authority of truth, goodness, love, forgiveness, justice and peace. The authority of the values of the Kingdom of God that Jesus preached. In following Jesus, we will learn of authority that aims to inspire, empower and encourage.
On whose authority do we live? On the authority of the world or the authority of Jesus?
I am passionate about the intersection between new media and technology. I continue to research and apply new media in theology and vice-versa. I am also a fan of Our Mother of Perpetual Help and her continuing relevance in today’s digital world.
View all posts by Baclaran Phenomenon
