13 December 2021 Matthew 21:23-27
Monday of the 3rd Week in Advent
AUTHORITY
“By what authority are you doing these things?” (V.28).
There are different types of authority. It could be affirmed, rejected or even discharged. There can be two kinds of authority namely “autogenous authority” that comes from a person’s inner resources and “derived authority” that is inherited or obtained from others.
The question that the chief priests, scribes, and the elders ask Jesus about the source of His authority has a reference to the cleansing of the Temple (Mk 11:15-17). Jesus does not answer them because they are challenging him rather than accepting the truth in His words and deeds. The chief priests, and teachers of the law always feel insecure with those who threaten their status because they exercise derived authority. John legitimized the authority of Jesus’ autogenous authority by declaring him as the ‘Lamb of God’.
As Jesus says He is sent by God and Father has put all things into his power (Jn. 13:3). The source of the authority of Jesus is His communion with the Father which he experienced through prayer.
Similarly, the source of the authority of Christians in all what they do originates from their connectivity with God through prayer and acts of compassion. Amen.