The authority of Jesus questioned and revealed! How Jesus reveals His authority should be a lesson for all of us.
matthew 21:23-27
When he had come into the temple area, the chief priests and the elders of the people approached 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 in reply, “I shall ask you one questions, and if you answer if for me, then I shall tell you by what authority I do these things. Where was John’s baptism from? Was it of heavenly or of human origin?”
They discussed this among themselves and said, “If we say ‘Of heavenly origin,’ he will say to us, ‘Then why did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ we fear the crowd, for they all regard John as a prophet.” So they said to Jesus in reply, “We do not know,” He himself said to them, “Neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things.”
A Man of few words
One thing struck me the instant I finished reading this passage today: The authority of Jesus questioned AND revealed. His response, or should I say lack thereof, revealed His authority!
Jesus always used few words to respond to those who often confronted Him. Many times He responds with a question. The questions serve to fluster those who are trying to “trip him up.” There’s power and authority in how Jesus chooses his words.
Considering how Jesus responded reminded me of the Rule of St. Benedict. Specifically Chapter 6 – Restraint of Speech. You can read it here. The commentary to the Rule follows in italics.
Restraint of speech
This Chapter of the Rule is most important today when so much of culture thinks that everything must be put into words and shared. One of the great “Wisdom lessons” of the early monks was that sometimes even good and holy thoughts should be left unsaid. Today, they can be published and everyone can read them!
One of the practices that all of us should undertake from time to time is actual physical silence. We need to practice NOT saying even the good thoughts that we have, NOT communicating them to anyone. Part of this practice will show us the places and the people that stimulate us to communicate. Another part of this practice will show the strength of our desire to communicate and the strength of our own will to resist that desire.
power of words
We need to become persons who are aware of the power of words. Words shape us and form us. Words direct our attention and our energies. Words can build up and they can tear down. Even a word of truth can be destructive when it is not uttered in charity and true love.
Saint Benedict is terribly strong in condeming gossip and murmuring in the monastery. We need to be deeply aware of the why he condemns gossip and murmuring: they kill and destroy. Not only do they kill and destroy another person, they attack the very heart of community: charity for one another.
on laughter
We need to be aware that there are two strains of thought about laughter in the Rule. Benedict is never very favorable to laughter or jest, but the Chapter on Lent indicates that he was aware that laughter and jesting were part of normal life. Laughter and jest are realities that also can build up or destroy. When a person destroys with laughter and jest, perhaps there is worse blame because that which should be joyful is being used for destruction.
Let us resolve to use our words to build up one another. May our silence be a joyful communion with the Lord so that we may love others more faithfully.
And that’s all I have to say about that! God bless you!
You can click here to read an older post on the Rule of St. Benedict.
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