Memorial of Saint John of the Cross, Priest and Doctor of the Church

“I shall ask you one question, and if you answer it for me, then I shall tell you by what authority I do these things. Where was John’s baptism from? Was it of heavenly or of human origin?” They discussed this among themselves and said, “If we say ‘Of heavenly origin,’ he will say to us, ‘Then why did you not believe him?’  But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ we fear the crowd, for they all regard John as a prophet.” So they said to Jesus in reply, “We do not know.” He himself said to them, “Neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

Where was Jesus’ authority from? This is the question the chief priests and elders put to Jesus, but it is also the question at the center of our faith lives. In our lives, we will eventually have to answer if we believe that Jesus’ authority is of heavenly or human origin. If we truly believe Christ's authority is heavenly, then we will choose to live our lives in accord with his gospel message and imitate him in everything we do. Without a faith in Jesus’ divine authority, we have nothing firm to hold onto in our lives. If Jesus is just a man, then there would be no Savior of the World and no life everlasting. Thankfully, we believe Jesus is not only man, but divine, too. His authority isn’t just a human one, but an eternal one. This is why we are called to trust in him, put aside our doubts, and live out his gospel message.

Do we believe Jesus’ authority is from heaven? If so, then how has that effected the way we live our lives? What do we do to live out the gospel message Jesus gave to us through the New Testament?

O Lord, your authority is divine. Help us to respect and bow to it always.

Amen.