The Authority of Jesus’ Word
Tuesday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time
“What is there about his word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out.” These were the words uttered by the people who were amazed at the act of Jesus towards the evil spirit. Their focus was on the words said by Jesus which had authority and power.
At that time, when a Jewish rabbi would speak, he would reference his teacher—another rabbi—who in turn had learned from another rabbi and he by another and so on. Finally, appeal would be made, implicitly or otherwise, to Moses, who had received the word and commandments of God on Mt. Sinai. The prophets spoke with delegated authority and started their proclamation with these words, “Thus says the Lord.”
What makes Jesus’ teaching so striking is his manner of teaching. He doesn’t appeal to Rabbi “so and so” and finally back to Moses. He teaches on his own authority. When Jesus spoke he needed no authorities to back up his statements. He was authority incarnate, the Word of God made flesh. When he spoke, God spoke.
Brothers and sisters, God speaks to us in the Lord Jesus. He speaks to us even today through the Word we proclaim, in our moments of prayer, in the Sacraments, and in our daily life experiences. How attentive are we to His Word? Do we obey His authority which is directed towards our salvation and holiness? St. John Bosco, our Father and Founder was a man whose heart is open to the Word of God. To start off his busy day, he prayed, did meditation, prayed the Divine Office, and celebrated the Holy Eucharist. Despite the many activities he had, he visited often the Blessed Sacrament and made himself aware of God’s presence during the day. His life was inspired by God’s Word and it overflowed in everything that he was doing.
In this Holy Mass, we encounter again the Lord who invites us to listen to Him and allow His Word to effect a change, transformation, and repentance in our life. Blessed are they who listen to God’s Word, and live by it day after day.
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