4th Sunday of the Year “He taught them with authority.” Authority can be a problem…and it is not just because we don’t want to obey but there is a real question concerning what makes ‘authority’ legitimate. A person can have all the external signs of legitimacy, even the force of power, but that will not make them an authority, one who can author life in others. The people of Capernaum recognised that Jesus’ teaching was different from their own religious leaders, the scribes: he taught with authority. Just what did these people see in Jesus? Firstly, Jesus was one of them. Even though he was from God, he came amongst these Galileans as one who understood their life, their troubles, their experience. Secondly, he knew the Scriptures and was prepared to stand up and teach from it. Based on the Jewish tradition, he was able to show them new ways to approach God. Thirdly, he was prepared to step out and confront evil, not for his own sake, but in order to serve others. These are the qualities that make for good leaders, those with authority. We see this clearly in the lives of people like Mother Theresa and Nelson Mandela: they knew and understood the life experience of the people they served; they trusted in their own inner wisdom, the fruit of prayer, study and reflection; and they confronted evil, they sacrificed themselves for others. So-called leaders, who are remote from their own community, who waffle on without reflection and who are not there to carry the burden of the hard times – they may think they have power, but actually lack real authority. Each of us have times or situations when we are in authority. This Sunday’s Gospel gives us good guidelines by which to reflect on whether our authority is truly one of Christian service.
Sr Kym Harris OSB |