Jesus reveals his authority in Capernaum through his teaching and ability to drive out demons. May we pledge our allegiance to Christ and submit to his rule of our hearts.
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 1st Week of the Year
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Tag Archives: Authority
Daily Mass: Jesus reveals his authority to teach and drive out demons. Catholic Inspiration
Study, Pray, Serve: 25th Sunday of the Year
Here are some of the main themes for the readings for the 25th Sunday of the Year.
1st Reading – Amos 8:4-7
- The prophet Amos lists a number of ways that the needy have been harmed.
- The Lord will not forget the evil that people have done to those in need.
Psalm – 113:1-2,4-8
- “Praise the Lord who lifts up the poor.”
- The Lord, who is enthroned on high, raises the lowly.
2nd Reading – 1st Timothy 2:1-8
- Prayers and supplications are offered for those who are in authority.
- There is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, Jesus Christ.
Gospel – Luke 16:1-13
- Jesus offers a parable of a dishonest steward who shows initiative.
- The Lord offers a principle: those who are trustworthy in small matters will be trustworthy in great ones.
Mass Readings – 25th Sunday of the Year
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Daily Mass: We are under the authority of Jesus Christ. Catholic Inspiration
The centurion in the Gospel of Matthew reveals his trust in the healing power of Jesus Christ. Familiar with the role of authority, this soldier places himself under the command of Jesus…giving us a powerful example of how we offer our lives in the service of the Lord.
Mass Readings – Monday of the 1st Week of Advent
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Daily Mass: Jesus offers a teachable moment with a question. Catholic Inspiration
When asked about his authority, Jesus counters with a question that reveals the limits of the conversation. This insight can help us be more aware and sensitive to the spiritual questions we face with the people in our lives.
Mass Readings – Saturday of the 8th Week of the Year
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4th Sunday of the Year: The use of power and authority.
Study: Consider a time in life when you used power and authority well. What helped and guided you?
Pray: Ask the Lord for the wisdom and courage to live your life in accordance with God’s commands.
Serve: How can you make a difference with your life today? What is in your reach to do that makes an immediate difference?
Mass Readings – 4th Sunday of the Year
In great and small ways, we all exercise power and authority. Some people make daily decisions that shape the lives of nations; others rule kingdoms no bigger than the back garden. Yet regardless of size and shape, the fact remains that power and authority are part of human life.
Having these two dynamic attributes, however, are no guarantee that they will be used wisely and well. History is filled with both good and bad examples where power and authority have been used – for great good and great harm.
Like all gifts, power and authority find their origin in the Lord. God is the source of all life, and every blessing, every ability, derives its strength from the throne of Heaven. Both the first reading and the Gospel today acknowledge this truth: Moses proclaims that God will raise up a future prophet for the people; Jesus teaches with authority and casts out demons. As Christ fulfills the promise of Moses, the Lord extends his power to conquer sin and death that we might have hope in this world as we look to the world to come.
In light of these readings two thoughts emerge for consideration:
- Do I acknowledge God’s power and authority in my life?
- Do I use the power and authority I have for God’s glory?
Think about it. We often know what we should do…the question is, do we do it?! The Lord’s commands (forgiveness, prayer, service to the poor, justice, etc.) are not nice things to think about in our spare time. They are dictates from on high that are meant to enliven us and fill us with grace, peace, and joy. The problem of course is that our own ego can get in the way and redirect our energy away from God. In these moments, we search our conscience (Remember the Examination of Conscience last week?) and return to the Lord.
And while we are examining our hearts, we have the opportunity to put into practice the power and authority we have in a 1001 ways. Consider:
- Family, Friends, Acquaintances, Colleagues, Classmates
- Strangers, Enemies, Chance Visitors
- The Environment, The Legal System, Local Government
- Any place where our lives touch another…
Since all power comes from God and flows through us, it might be helpful to recall that one day we are going to stand before Jesus Christ. With loving eyes he will look into our souls and ask what we did with the gift of life we were given. It’s not the mistakes we made that will be hardest to bear, but the opportunities we missed to good with what we had. Perhaps today we might reflect on the Lord’s commands for our lives, and reconsider how we might put them into practice with the power we possess.
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Note: This post was first published on January 25, 2015.
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Daily Mass: The teaching and authority of Jesus. Catholic Inspiration
Jesus reveals his power in Capernaum as he teaches with authority and drives out demons.
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 1st Week of the Year
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Daily Mass: The authority and power of Jesus. Catholic Inspiration
Luke’s Gospel recounts how Jesus taught and drove out demons with “authority and power.” This is the grace that we call upon today as we follow the Lord to face the challenges of our lives.
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 22nd Week of the Year
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21st Sunday of the Year: Using our keys.
Study: Recall a time when you were entrusted with power. How did you use it?
Pray: Ask the Lord for guidance over the things and situations in your control right now.
Serve: How can you help someone who is struggling with a decision of leadership? How can you offer solid support?
21st Sunday of the Year Readings
Take a look at the keys in your pocket. As you hold them, think about what they do:
- The doors they open
- The cars they open & start
- The authority and power they reveal
Keys allow us access and empower us with authority. Keys give us control over our physical world and they help us to use resources wisely and well. They are also symbols that speak to identity and purpose – just think about what happens when our keys are lost or taken from us….
In the first reading and the Gospel today we discover the power of God’s keys:
- Key of the House of David
- Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven
These promises to Eliakim and St. Peter are mighty – they will receive the power, authority,and responsibility from God lead and guide. Consider these three points:
Power: they receive the strength and ability to carry out the work entrusted to them. Power gives them resources and skills to accomplish great things. Without power they are weak; with God’s power they can do more than they ever dreamed possible.
Authority: these keys are a sign of leadership and respect. The keys they possess allow them to direct and command others. Those who hold the keys are followed; those who hold the keys stand before us and provide wisdom, insight, and vision.
Responsibility: “From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from the one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded.” (Luke 12:48b) With great power comes great responsibility, and those who have been given strength and ability are required to use it with wisdom. Indeed, having the keys of Authority are a burden to demonstrate transparency, accountability, and trust.
Again, look at the keys in your pocket. How do we use them? Today we might consider the gifts and talents God has given us: we have an opportunity at this moment to exercise our own power and authority with God’s guidance, knowing that one day the Lord will seek an accounting with what we have done.
May our own keys inspire us to live with conviction and direction – using the resources we have received with the insights offered by our faith in Jesus Christ. The Lord is the source of all keys, may we call upon him to help us use them!
Note: This post was first published on August 18, 2014.
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Daily Mass: It’s not us, but the Lord working through us. Catholic Inspiration
As the disciples return praising God for the power they used in the name of Jesus, the Lord reveals this power as the fulfillment of God’s plan for salvation history. Our task today? To continue to let Jesus work through the daily offering of our lives.
Mass Readings – Saturday of the 26th Week of the Year
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Daily Mass: The power and authority of Jesus Christ. Catholic Inspiration
The power and authority of the Lord are revealed as teaches and drives out demons. May we call upon Christ for the strength we need as we place our lives under his command.
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 22nd Week of the Year
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Catholic Inspiration – Podcast Archives of Homilies & Talks- Study, Pray, Serve: The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
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