Monday, December 15 – “By What Authority?”

Scripture

“When he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to

him as he was teaching, and said, ‘By what authority are you doing these things, and who

gave you this authority?’ Jesus said to them, ‘I will also ask you one question; if you tell

me the answer, then I will also tell you by what authority I do these things.’” Matthew

21:23–27

Reflection

Today’s Gospel presents a confrontation between Jesus and the religious authorities,

a moment charged with tension. The leaders, threatened by His growing influence, demand

to know the source of His authority. Yet Jesus, discerning their hearts, responds not with

argument but with a question that exposes their unwillingness to face the truth. They knew

that acknowledging John the Baptist as a prophet would force them to recognize Jesus as

the One John proclaimed, the Messiah. Their fear of losing status or control blinds them to

the very presence of God before them.

Advent invites us to ask the same question from the other side: By what authority

does Jesus act in my life? Do I truly allow Him to teach, to correct, to lead me? Or do I,

like the elders, resist when His truth challenges my comfort or pride? Christ’s authority is

not coercive, it is the authority of love, of truth, of self-giving service.

For members of the EOHSJ, this Gospel recalls the virtue of obedience in faith. Your

vocation carries a sacred trust, to serve Christ’s Church in fidelity and humility. The

authority you exercise, whether in leadership or service, must mirror His: rooted in prayer,

expressed in charity, and marked by reverence for the mystery of God’s will.

In Advent, we await not only the coming of a child in Bethlehem but the return of

the King who reigns with justice and mercy. To welcome Him rightly, we must yield our

hearts to His authority, trusting that His rule brings peace, not oppression; light, not fear.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, You are the Shepherd and King of my soul. Teach me to submit joyfully

to Your authority and to recognize Your truth in every circumstance. May my obedience be

shaped by love and my service reflect Your compassion. Amen.

Meditation Question

Where in my life do I resist the authority of Christ or the teaching of His Church? How can

I open my heart more fully to His loving guidance this Advent?