Every Sunday, Bishop Edward Malesic writes a Scripture reflection for the faithful. Follow the bishop on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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The scribes taught on the authority of others. They quoted their teachers. They quoted great scholars. They quoted sacred scripture, but they were reluctant to teach on their own authority. They referenced others.
Into the scene comes Jesus, and the Gospel of Mark describes how Jesus taught: “The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes.”
Jesus spoke on his own authority about the things of God. He had no superior to be a point of reference. He would say, “You have heard it said, but I say. . . “ Of course, this is because he was the teacher above all other teachers. He was the author of sacred scripture. He was the one who inspired the prophets. He was the one who enlightened the scholars with sacred wisdom. He was God in the flesh.
In order to show his authority, Jesus would often perform mighty works. Without invoking the authority of anyone else, he simply said to the unclean spirit in a man possessed with it, “Quiet. Come out of him.” And the unclean spirit left the man. The authority of the word of Jesus was enough to bring about this healing.
Jesus is not just a teacher of wisdom. He is Wisdom. He is not just a proclaimer of God’s love. He is God’s love. And when he speaks, the world is created anew. Things happen when the Word of God speaks with authority. He says, “This is my Body” over bread and it becomes what he proclaims it to be.
May we hear the word of Jesus speak to us today. May he make us a new creation. May his powerful words bring about a great change in us. May we be as astonished at his teaching with authority as those were in the today’s Gospel.
Have a blessed week everyone.