The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes.
Mark 1:22
In today’s world authority is a dirty word, conjuring up thoughts of power and obligation. Perhaps in Jesus’ time, many shared these sentiments. In fact, in the Gospels, we often see sharp criticisms directed at the Scribes and Pharisees regarding the heavy burden they placed on the shoulders of the people. And so, the scene in today’s Gospel is striking. In response to the Lord’s healing of the man plagued by an unclean spirit, the people ask themselves, “What is this? A new teaching with authority. He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him.”
It was clear to those who met Christ that he did not teach like the scribes and Pharisees; Jesus exercised a different kind of authority. Jesus’ authority came from his Father, not from the Law as it was with other religious leaders. As such, Jesus’ authority is not an expression of power but of service. Jesus’ authority helps us to grow, that makes us whole, that heals our wounds. For this reason, he came into the world, to make the Father known. For us Christians, then, authority is not something to fear but a relationship to be embraced.
As we contemplate our own relationship with authority, how do we recognize the difference between Christ’s authority and the world’s?
We pray for all those who carry heavy burdens and obligations at the hands of others, that they may encounter the true authority of Christ and experience his healing presence.
Today’s Reflection is by:
Fr. Ralph D'Elia
Did you know...
Fr. Ralph D’Elia was ordained a priest of the Diocese of St. Petersburg in 2019. He is currently assigned as the parochial vicar of the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle in St. Petersburg. Previously Fr. Ralph studied Theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, with a specialization in Moral Theology.
