December 12, 2022 – Matthew 21:23-27
The first reading and the Gospel deal with the topic of authority. It is clear that the way Jesus teaches is a source of disquiet for the Jewish religious leaders. One day they approach him in the temple and ask, “By what authority do you do these things and who gave you this authority?” The religious leaders’ question is legitimate; no one can officially teach, much less in the Temple, unless they have received a title from the religious authority. Jesus not only claims to teach, but offers a new interpretation of the ancient Law; and by driving out the Temple merchants (Mt 21:12-13), he claims the right to denounce the perverse mixing of the sacred and the profane. In the Temple, the people are in great expectation of Jesus’ teaching because his Word brings so much hope, and this greatly annoys the religious leaders. “By what authority do you do these things? Who gave you this authority?”
Jesus rarely responds directly to questions
provocative questions put to him. In this case, as he does elsewhere, he responds with another question. If they answer his question, he answers theirs. The question is, “Did John the Baptist’s baptism come from Heaven or from men?” Immediately, his interlocutors find themselves in a dilemma. If they answer “from Heaven,” they will, in addition, be asked why they did not receive John’s baptism. We know that when John was baptizing, they went to observe him, but they themselves clearly felt no need to be baptized. To do so would have been to put themselves on the same level as sinners and the unclean.

“By what authority do you do these things? Who gave you the authority?”
The question, besides being legitimate, is also captious because it reveals a fundamental
distrust, it asks for human credentials that Jesus cannot claim. In the eyes of the people, Jesus is a prophet, speaking and acting on behalf of God, as Nicodemus, an influential member of the Sanhedrin, recognizes, “For no one can perform the signs that he performs unless God is with him” (Jn. 3:2). Jesus speaks for God, acting with the authority that comes from God. But it is useless to say this if the interlocutors are not willing to acknowledge it. That is why, with his usual skill, Jesus shifts from the status of defendant to that of prosecutor, from the status of learner to that of teacher. It is he who questions, “Where did John’s baptism come from? From heaven or from men?” (21:25). John, too, received no title from men, and yet his preaching sparked a genuine religious renewal, tolerated but not recognized by the leaders of the people. “We do not know,” they reply (21:27). They do not welcome the challenge. But in doing so they close the door to the truth. No one can extinguish God’s light. And those who stubbornly refuse to understand miss the appointment with grace. Throughout the centuries, the Holy Spirit gives light and strength to pastors called to lead God’s people and at the same time also raises up charisms and prophets to chart new paths. For good workers…
Perhaps each of us should examine how we exercise authority in our lives: as parents, teachers, employers or in any capacity where we have some responsibility to others.
P Joby Kavungal RCJ