“The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes.” (Mark 1:22)

The major theme for this Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time is on the “divine authority” of God as it is expressed through the Old Testament prophets and of the apostles (including Paul of Tarsus), but mostly on the teaching and healing ministries of Jesus Christ.

The word “authority” can mean: power given by (1) the state (e.g. government, judges, police officers, etc.) or by (2) academic expertise of knowledge of an area (i.e. someone can be an authority on a subject). When the word “authority” is used in the name of an organization, it usually refers to the governing body upon which the legitimacy is vested.

Authority is often used interchangeably with power. However, their meanings differ. Power is the ability to force or influence somebody to do something that he/she would not have done. Authority refers to a claim of legitimacy, the justification and right to exercise that power. Therefore, authority means: (1) the right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience; (2) to act in a specified way, delegated from one person or organization to another; (3) official permission; sanction; (4) have control in a particular political or administrative sphere; (5) ability or capacity to influence others; (6) confidence from personal expertise; (7) extensive or specialized knowledge about a subject; an expert; (8) a source able to supply reliable information or evidence to settle a dispute.

Authority ultimately comes from God. Because God is eternal, the divine authority is eternal, unlike human authority is always temporal. Our Lord Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God the Father. Therefore, He has the ultimate authority.

God does not want us holding a relationship of Transaction but Transformation. Therefore, Dynamic Christian disciples are those who (1) BELIEVE, (2) GROW, (3) SERVE, (4) LOVE and (5) LEAD others to Jesus. Today’s topic invites us to reflect on our vocation of dynamic Christian discipleship to use God’s given authority to fulfill God’s will and obtain our salvation.

How can we use God’s authority to build up His Kingdom?