Gospel Reflection for Sunday January 31st 2021

The 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time

The authority, words and action of Jesus

In the gospel today the impact of the words of Jesus are seen in real concrete action. He heals a man who is sick and who has neither control nor authority over his own body. Not so with Jesus. When Jesus speaks he orders the evil spirits to leave the man. Jesus speaks and immediately the man is healed and liberated. This is when the crowd begin to question Jesus. They wonder about him; ‘they were astonished and started to ask what it all meant.’ In Matthew’s gospel they even said, ‘Where did he get such wisdom? What about his miracles? Isn’t he just the carpenter’s son? Where did he get he get all this?’ (Mtt. 13. 55) Clearly not all those who met Jesus appreciated his teaching, healing or authority.

Earlier in Mark’s gospel when Jesus was baptised we read that the Holy Spirit descended on him and a voice was heard to say, ‘this is my beloved. With you I am well pleased.‘ This is the source and origin of Jesus’ authority. The authority with which he teaches, heals and forgives comes from God. The authority that the people experience and witness from Jesus is the very authority of God. What Jesus says happens. When Jesus says to a person that they are healed, the person is actually healed. When he tells a person that their sins are forgiven they are actually forgiven. The words of Jesus are seen in and through his actions. When Jesus teaches and speaks things actually happen! His words are effective. Those who listen to and hear Jesus experience the change and effect of these words in their lives; this is real power and authority. Jesus exercised his power to heal, liberate and forgive people, not to enslave them. He uses his authority to lift people up, not put them down. This is the powerful uniqueness of his sacred and divine authority. When people saw the impact of his teaching in and through his actions, they began to ask who he really was, because they said, ‘here is a teaching that is new and with authority behind it.‘ The message that Jesus brings is not only good, it is also new.

Sadly, not all people exercise their authority with such care and concern for others. Even in our own recent history we have witnessed many dictators who have abused not only their authority but also those they were meant to serve. Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely. 

As Christians we are called to follow the example of Jesus, not just his teaching. Jesus, the One with ultimate power and authority, came to serve, not to be served. To show this explicitly, Jesus took the place of a slave and washed his friend’s feet. This is Christian power and authority. To reinforce this gesture, Jesus said and still says to us today; ‘If I then, the Lord and Master, have washed your feet, you should wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example so that you may do what I have done to you.’ (John 13.15)

No matter who we are, we each have some power and authority. The question for us is how we exercise this authority. Do we follow the example of Jesus; do we use it to serve others, to help and support them, to lift them or to put them down? As always, the choice is ours.

– Br Michael Moore OMI