In the realm where divine wisdom stands,
True authority is not shaped by human hands.
Not from applause, nor from mortal recognition,
But from God, springs the genuine commission.
Beware the danger, the human opinion's might,
That obscures the truth, dims the divine light.
As followers of Christ, in His path, we tread,
Fear God more than man, so the scriptures said.
In the face of questions, complex and grand,
Wisdom is the staff we hold in our hand.
Thoughtful and wise, let our responses be,
Reflecting His love, for the world to see.
Open and receptive to God's work, we remain,
Even when it challenges, even when it brings pain.
Understanding may falter, expectations might sway,
Yet in His divine plan, we find our way.
In challenging situations, in trials unforeseen,
Remember His teachings, keep your spirit clean.
For in every moment, in every situation,
We are guided by His love, His divine creation.
REFLECTION:
Jesus said to them, “I shall ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things." (Mark 11:29)
True authority comes from God, not from human approval or recognition. We should be mindful of the danger of valuing human opinion over the truth. As followers of Christ, we are called to fear God more than man.
Wisdom is important in answering difficult questions. Let us be thoughtful and wise in our responses, be open and receptive to God’s work, even when it challenges our expectations or understanding and especially when faced with challenging situations.
Dear Lord Jesus,
We acknowledge that true authority comes from You, not from human approval or recognition. Help us to always remember this truth and not be swayed by the opinions of others. Teach us to value Your opinion above all else, for You are the source of all wisdom and truth.
As followers of You, we are called to fear God more than man. Instill in us a healthy reverence for You, Lord. Let our actions and decisions be guided by Your will, not by our fears or desires.
Grant us wisdom, Lord, especially in answering difficult questions. Let us be thoughtful and wise in our responses, reflecting Your love and truth in all we say and do. Help us to be open and receptive to Your work, even when it challenges our expectations or understanding.
In challenging situations, remind us that You are with us. Give us the strength to face these trials with courage and faith. Let us not be discouraged, but instead let these challenges draw us closer to You.
We thank You, Lord, for Your guidance and love. We pray that we may always seek Your will in all we do. In Your holy name, we pray. Amen.
Pericope:
IV: The Full Revelation of the Mystery
THE AUTHORITY OF JESUS QUESTIONED
Mark 11:27-33
Gospel | Mark 11:27-33
Gospel Acclamation
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; giving thanks to God the Father through him.
27 Jesus and his disciples returned once more to Jerusalem. As he was walking in the temple area, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders approached him 28 and said to him, “By what authority are you doing these things? Or who gave you this authority to do them?” 29 Jesus said to them, “I shall ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. 30 Was John’s baptism of heavenly or of human origin? Answer me.” 31 They discussed this among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘Of heavenly origin,’ he will say, ‘Then why did you not believe him?’ 32 But shall we say, ‘Of human origin’?”—they feared the crowd, for they all thought John really was a prophet. 33 So they said to Jesus in reply, “We do not know.” Then Jesus said to them, “Neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things.”
Background:
Mark 11:27-33 is a passage in the New Testament of the Bible where Jesus’ authority is questioned by the highest authorities at the Temple in Jerusalem. This confrontation occurs after Jesus explains to his disciples the meaning behind his cursing of the fig tree and cleansing of the Temple.
In this passage, Jesus and his disciples return to Jerusalem, where they are met at the Temple by the chief priests, scribes, and elders. These authorities, who are tired of Jesus’ actions and teachings, decide to confront him and challenge the basis of his authority. They ask Jesus, "By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority to do these things?".
Instead of answering them directly, Jesus responds with a question of his own about the baptism of John the Baptist. This puts the authorities in a difficult position. If they say that John’s baptism was from heaven, Jesus would ask why they did not believe him. If they say it was from men, they feared the people, for all men counted John as a prophet. Unable to answer, they respond, “We cannot tell.” Jesus then tells them that he will not reveal by what authority he does these things.
This passage highlights the escalating conflict between Jesus and the religious authorities, which eventually leads to his crucifixion. It also underscores the wisdom of Jesus in dealing with their challenges and the fear and respect he commanded among the people. The context suggests that the authorities were concerned with his cleansing of the Temple, but it’s also possible that Mark has in mind preaching that Jesus could have done in and around Jerusalem.
Learning Lessons:
There are several lessons we can learn from Mark 11:27-33:
Wisdom in Answering: Jesus’ response to the religious leaders’ question shows us the importance of wisdom in answering difficult questions. Instead of responding directly, Jesus posed a question that made the leaders think about their own beliefs and actions. This teaches us to be thoughtful and wise in our responses, especially when faced with challenging situations.
Authority Comes from God: The religious leaders questioned Jesus’ authority, but Jesus pointed them to consider the source of John the Baptist’s authority. This reminds us that true authority comes from God, not from human approval or recognition.
Fear of Man vs Fear of God: The religious leaders were afraid to answer Jesus’ question because they feared the reaction of the people. This highlights the danger of valuing human opinion over the truth. As followers of Christ, we are called to fear God more than man.
Recognizing God’s Work: The leaders failed to recognize the divine authority in both John the Baptist’s and Jesus’ ministries. This serves as a warning for us to be open and receptive to God’s work, even when it challenges our expectations or understanding.
Honesty in Faith: The leaders’ inability to answer Jesus’ question revealed their lack of honesty and integrity in their faith. They were more concerned about their image than the truth. This passage encourages us to be sincere and truthful in our faith journey.
Remember, the Bible is a rich source of wisdom and guidance. (Conversation with Copilot)
