Teaching with authority

 

Authority means speaking in a way that shows one owns the words.

Reflection on Today’s Readings, 4th Sunday of Ordinary Time B, January 28th, 2024
Texts: Deuteronomy 18:15-20; Psalm 95:1-2,6-9; 1 Corinthians 7:32-35; Mark 1:21-28 

The People in today’s gospel reading witnessed in Jesus Christ something new: “He taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.” teaching with authority means teaching in a way that shows one owns the words. Jesus Christ taught in such a way that showed He owned the words. Jesus made the word of God His own as He taught the people. That was what was astonishing to the people.  The prophets use the word, thus says the LORD, to ascribe the words to God. However, Jesus does say, “but I'm saying.....” (Mark 7:11-13), “Very truly, I tell you ...” 

It was totally different from the way the scribes was teaching them. With what can we  compare the difference between Jesus’ teaching and that of the scribes? It is the difference between a researcher and a teacher. A researcher communicates what they have witnessed. A teacher teaches what researchers have handed down as facts. We also see the same difference between a reporter and a newscaster. A reporter communicates what he has witnessed while a newscaster relays the news from reporters.  

By our total devotion to God we have personal knowledge of Him

The teaching of Jesus Christ has its authority in His relationship with God. He says, “Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony” (John 3:11). Hence, St. Paul exhorts us, today, thus: “The unmarried man is anxious about the affairs of the  Lord, how to please the  Lord; but the married man is anxious about worldly affairs, how to please his wife, and his interests are divided.” By our total devotion to God we have personal knowledge of Him and speak like Jesus.

Scribes explained and interpreted the law, customs and tradition of the people. They backed up their understanding with authority of Rabbi who were higher than them. Their teachings were not from God but Rabbi. Jesus speaks to them thus: “You abandon the commandment of God and hold to human tradition” (Mark 7:8). He adds, “You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition! ... thus nullifying the word of God through your tradition that you have handed on” (Mark 7:9-13). 

Concern for affairs of the world choke the word of God 

The scribes marginalised the word of God because of lack of commitment to God. Their anxieties were about the affairs of the world. They sought fame, honour, position, and wealth.  Concern for affairs of the world choke the word of God in their heart and made them unfruitful. We speak the word of God when our concerns are about pleasing God.  

Jesus was different from the scribes because He taught them the word of God; His authority is in the word of God, not the tradition of men. Hence, He says, “My teaching is not mine but his who sent me” (John 7:16). The word of God in today’s first reading is fulfilled in Jesus Christ: “I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brethren; and I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him. And whoever will not give heed to my words which he shall speak in my name, I myself will require it of him.”  

Our message of the gospel came to you not in word only but also in power 

It is when we have personal knowledge of God that we can speak His words with authority. We speak nothing but the truth. The word will come with power. St. Paul says, “Our message of the gospel came to you not in word only but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of persons we proved to be among you for your sake” (1 Thess. 1:5). In this way we manifest our share in the authority of Christ (Mt. 28:16-20).  

Prayer 

Grant us, Lord our God, that we may honour you with all our mind, and love everyone in truth of heart. Amen (Collect)
Amen
 
Fr. Andrew Olowomuke