The Authority Of Jesus Questioned

May 29, 2021, Saturday
Saturday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time (Green)
Optional Memorial of Saint Paul VI, Pope (White)
CYCLE B - YEAR I
Lectionary: 352

Reading I
Sir 51:12cd-20

I thank the LORD and I praise him;
    I bless the name of the LORD.
When I was young and innocent,
    I sought wisdom openly in my prayer
I prayed for her before the temple,
    and I will seek her until the end,
    and she flourished as a grape soon ripe.
My heart delighted in her,
My feet kept to the level path
    because from earliest youth I was familiar with her.
In the short time I paid heed,
    I met with great instruction.
Since in this way I have profited,
    I will give my teacher grateful praise.
I became resolutely devoted to her—
    the good I persistently strove for.
My soul was tormented in seeking her, 
My hand opened her gate
    and I came to know her secrets.
I directed my soul to her,
    and in cleanness I attained to her.

Responsorial Psalm
19:8, 9, 10, 11

R.     (9ab)  The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.

The law of the LORD is perfect,
    refreshing the soul.
The decree of the LORD is trustworthy,
    giving wisdom to the simple.

R.     The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.

The precepts of the LORD are right,
    rejoicing the heart.
The command of the LORD is clear,
    enlightening the eye.

R.    The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.

The fear of the LORD is pure,
    enduring forever;
The ordinances of the LORD are true,
    all of them just.

R.    The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.

They are more precious than gold,
    than a heap of purest gold;
Sweeter also than syrup
    or honey from the comb.

R.    The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.

Alleluia
See Col 3:16a, 17c

R.     Alleluia, alleluia.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly;
giving thanks to God the Father through him.

R.    Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL
Mk 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.”

REFLECTION:

The opponents of Jesus question the source of his authority. They fear it may undermine their own power. Jesus preferred the company of sinners and tax collectors who made no claim to any authority of their own.

True authority is not a personal possession. It comes from God and is to be used always with an eye on God. Whatever authority we have, as parents, teachers, priests, etc, we must use sensitively, so that God would be pleased.

PRAYER:

It is for the good of my heart that Jesus speaks to me in my prayer. As I listen for his word I try to allow my heart to receive it, careful not to let my mind get lost in argument or analysis.