What is Real Authority?

“…he taught them as one having authority and not like the scribes.” (Mark 1:22)

Isn’t there a sense of disappointment or even outrage when elected officials, heads of businesses and institutions, leaders of churches and service organizations, teachers, coaches or parents do not live up to their responsibilities, or even worse, take advantage of or even abuse those entrusted to the care? Such leaders may have the authority that comes with their positions, and they may be able to enforce the laws and rules of the organizations they lead, but they have lost their ability to inspire people to embrace the mission for which they are responsible.

How we long for leaders that inspire, who are credible, who have integrity, and who lead by example. If the heads of the organizations, churches, schools, and households you belong to are people like this, you have much for which to be grateful.

In today’s Gospel (Mk 1:21-28) there are two references to the authority of Jesus. Jesus holds no position and wields no authority in an official capacity. However the Gospel passage says of him: "… he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes.”

Jesus often criticizes religious leaders in particular who have no credibility. They do not practice what they preach. They have no compassion for those they lead. They lay heavy burdens on others without lifting a finger to help them. The people saw through such leaders and did not respect them. Clearly they were not inspired by them to lead holy lives.

I would suggest three reasons that explain the “authority” people saw in Jesus. First of all, he had an intimate relationship with the Father who informed every aspect of his life. He had the mind and heart of God developed over the course of time spent in prayer. Jesus was clearly intent on fulfilling God’s mission, not a mission of his own making. He was not on personal power trip. His relationship with the Father was the foundation of his authority.

Secondly, Jesus so clearly loved those he was asked to lead. No one was too insignificant to attend to. He was never too busy to listen. He says he is willing to “lay down his life for his sheep” and he did. Leadership was not about drawing attention to himself or padding his own pocket. People knew his concern for them was genuine. His love for those he led gave him authority.

Thirdly, Jesus did not just preach God’s word, he lived it. One of the most searing indictments of some of his religious contemporaries was that people should do as their leaders taught but not as they lived because their actions did not mirror the word they preached. Jesus’ authority was rooted in his credibility and integrity. He was a man of his word.

More than ever we need credible leaders. Sooner or later most of us find ourselves in positions of authority. Some are in public office, serve in law enforcement, or become ministers in the church. Others stand at the head of classrooms, board rooms, or task forces. Some are parents, doctors, nurses, employers, coaches, guidance counselors, spiritual directors, or older brothers and sisters. What kind of leader are you? Do you have the authority, not just to enforce, but to inspire? Will the qualities we find in Jesus be clearly evident in the way you lead?

Jesus taught as one having authority and not as the scribes. May it be said of you and me, that we, too, have that kind of authority in our leadership, the kind that inspires, that is credible, that is rooted in our love for God and for those placed in our care. May it be said of you and me: “ He/she teaches as one having authority, in the same way that Jesus was known as one having authority.”

Fr. John P. Klein, Pastor