Goodness Needs No Authorization.

Homily for June 2, 2018.

“By what authority are you doing these things, or who gave you this authority to do them?” Mark 11:28.

 

I remember back then in seminary school while studying for a degree in philosophy, the word “authority” meant the whole world for an essay or project to be accepted. We became so intimated intellectually that we strongly believed if we failed to quote some great philosopher, we have not said anything.

There were times we just went to the library not necessarily to read books but just to copy out book titles for our bibliography. We felt if we aren’t quoting authority, we aren’t being authentic. One of my biggest sins those days was to originate a line and make it a quotation by some non-existent philosopher just to make it look like I actually did some research. Funny but true, forgive me, please.

The point is, ‘why do people even insist on authority?’ Why do we need permission from some highly placed figure to validate what we do or say? And how come, when it comes to evil, people don’t ask the question, ‘on whose authority are you doing this?’ how come it is only when it is something of the light that people begin to ask, ‘is it right?’

Jesus cleansed the Temple and instead of the Pharisees to bury their heads in shame and repent from desecrating the Lord’s house, they started asking Jesus for quotations; for authority backing his action. They didn’t ask the money changers who gave them the authority to do business in the Temple area, they didn’t ask the pigeon sellers for certificates, but they saw Jesus doing the right thing and they started demanding for authority. Does God need to be authorized by any?

In our own lives too, we find ourselves falling into the authority trap. We don’t do anything without seeking the approval of people. God gives you an idea and instead of you to start working on it, you go about consulting people (authority figures), only to end up becoming discouraged completely by the negativity of others. Yet, when we want to do evil, we don’t ask anyone’s permission. Why?

Dear friends, as St. Jude would tell us in today’s first reading, it is not everybody we draw close. In truth, it is not everybody we share our plans and dreams with; it is not everybody we consult for approval (authority). St. Jude says we must select our friends, some we would save, but some others we just need to run away from them. This is wisdom.

In truth, the only authority we should recognize is God’s Divine Authority. All others are mere counterfeits. God alone must and should have the final say in your decision-making process.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, may I remain firm in my Christian convictions. Amen.

Happy New Month. Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Saturday of the 8^th Week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Jude 17:20-25, Mark 11:27-33).