Daily Reflection

The Divine Authority of the Son of Man

June 1, 2024 | Saturday
  • Memorial of Saint Justin, Martyr
  • Mark 11:27-33

    Jude 17, 20b-25

    Psalm 63:2, 3-4, 5-6

    Mark 11:27-33

     

    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 and said to him,

    “By what authority are you doing these things?

    Or who gave you this authority to do them?”

    Jesus said to them, “I shall ask you one question.

    Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things.

    Was John’s baptism of heavenly or of human origin? Answer me.”

    They discussed this among themselves and said,

    “If we say, ‘Of heavenly origin,’ he will say,

    ‘Then why did you not believe him?’

    But shall we say, ‘Of human origin’?” –

    they feared the crowd,

    for they all thought John really was a prophet.

    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.”

     

    Opening Prayer: Lord God, do not let me harden my heart. Replace my heart of stone with a spirit-filled heart. Show me how to grow in my faith today and imitate your merciful love.

     

    Encountering the Word of God

     

    1. Jesus’ Authority: As he journeyed along the way to Jerusalem, Jesus predicted three times that members of three groups – the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders – would condemn him to death. Now, three days after his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the groups openly confront Jesus and ask him two questions about his authority. Throughout Mark’s Gospel, the conflict between Jesus and the religious leaders has revolved around the issue of authority (Gray, The Temple in the Gospel of Mark, 56). The leaders questioned Jesus’ authority to forgive sins (Mark 2:7), heal on the Sabbath (Mark 3:2-6), and cast out demons (Mark 3:22). Here, the leaders question Jesus’ authority to judge the Temple and its rulers. The answer to their questions is that Jesus has the same authority granted to the Son of Man in Daniel 7. Jesus’ condemnation of the Temple is the beginning of the end-times judgment foretold in Daniel 7 (Gray, The Temple in the Gospel of Mark, 59). Instead of answering their two questions directly, Jesus answers them indirectly with a question of his own about John the Baptist’s authority. The leaders wanted to tell Jesus that John’s baptism was not sanctioned by them or by God, but they feared the crowds who believed that John’s baptism was “from heaven.” The leaders refused to believe John’s claim to be sent from God and now show that they refuse to accept that Jesus has been sent from God. They are truly acting like the wicked tenants in the parable we will read on Monday (Mark 12:1-9). Like the wicked tenants, the religious leaders rejected the prophetic messenger sent by God – John the Baptist – and are now plotting to kill Jesus, the beloved Son sent by God the Father.

     

    2. The Letter of Jude: Our First Reading is taken from the Letter of Jude. At the beginning of his letter, Jude identified himself as the brother of James, who was the Bishop of Jerusalem after the departure of Simon Peter. Jude was likely a cousin or relative of Jesus. The goal of Jude’s letter was to encourage Christians to fight for the faith and to warn them about infiltrators who were teaching things contrary to the faith. He exhorts the Christian faithful to stand firm in the firth, to remain in the love of God, and to have mercy on all who are struggling (Keating, First and Second Peter, Jude, 192. “In practical terms, Jude urges readers to deepen their grasp of apostolic doctrine (20), to wait prayerfully and patiently upon the Lord (21), and to steady the faith of others who are either wavering in doubt or overcome by deception (22-23)” (Ignatius Catholic Study Bible: New Testament, 485). While false teachers are devoid of the Holy Spirit (19), we are called by Jude to pray in the Holy Spirit and be led by the Spirit. The Spirit will teach us how to pray as we ought. In verse 23, “Jude appeals to us to show mercy to those who doubt or who are struggling, and even to try to win back those who are bringing harm to the faith. We are called to rescue those who are in spiritual danger, even at cost to ourselves” (Keating, First and Second Peter, Jude, 195). 

     

    3. Justin’s Description of the Early Christian Liturgy: On this memorial of Justin Martyr, it is good to recall his letter to the Roman emperor Antoninus Pius (who reigned from A.D. 138 to 161) that explains how the early Christians worshipped. This is the faith we have received and are called to hand on. This is how we continue to worship every week. Justin writes: “On the day we call the day of the sun, all who dwell in the city or country gather in the same place. The memoirs of the apostles and the writings of the prophets are read, as much as time permits. When the reader has finished, he who presides over those gathered admonishes and challenges them to imitate these beautiful things. Then we all rise together and offer prayers for ourselves … and for all others, wherever they may be, so that we may be found righteous by our life and actions, and faithful to the commandments, so as to obtain eternal salvation. When the prayers are concluded we exchange the kiss. Then someone brings bread and a cup of water and wine mixed together to him who presides over the brethren. He takes them and offers praise and glory to the Father of the universe, through the name of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and for a considerable time he gives thanks that we have been judged worthy of these gifts. When he has concluded the prayers and thanksgivings, all present give voice to an acclamation by saying: ‘Amen.’ When he who presides has given thanks and the people have responded, those whom we call deacons give to those present the ‘eucharisted’ bread, wine, and water and take them to those who are absent.”

     

    Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, I give you thanks for the gift of the Liturgy. By your Word of Life, you teach me the path of life and salvation. By your Bread of Life, you nourish me and unite me to yourself, the True Vine, and deepen my communion with my brothers and sisters in the Church. 

     

    Living the Word of God: How am I called today to contend for the faith I have received? How am I handing on the faith to my family, friends, and coworkers? Am I identifying and avoiding errors and false paths?

    © 2024. EPRIEST, Inc. All rights reserved.

At ePriest, we are dedicated to supporting Catholic priests as they serve their people and build up the Church.

We invite you to explore our resources to help your own ministry flourish!

Sign Up Now