THIRSTING
FOR YOU
Jude 17, 20b-25; Ps 63:2, 3-4, 5-6; Mk
11:27-33
Do we accept the authority of God's
Word? The brief passage in today's first reading is from the Apostle Jude, who
is considered to be the patron saint of lost causes. His Letter expresses
concern for some of the faithful "who are confused" and in need of
correction. Jesus wonders whether the chief priests and their scribes are lost
and need His direction. Jesus stirred up a storm of controversy, yesterday, by
cleansing the Temple
from the money changers. John the Baptist, Jesus counters, was never a part of
that top-down process of authority that these officials represented; he had
never studied nor had he ever sat at the feet of the masters. Jesus asks,
"Was John's baptism of heavenly or of human origin" (Mk. 11:30)? The
prophets received authority from God and John was the greatest of the prophets.
Jesus Himself says that He too has His authority from His heavenly Father.
Our Catholic Church is also a
"prophet." And as the decades and centuries pass, It must speak God's
Word to a world that is fast-paced, is always changing, and has its troubles.
In this cultural fluidity we too can become a people "who are confused and
who need to be corrected" by the Holy Spirit, Who directs the Church.
We should also ask ourselves, "Are
we confused at times and need to be corrected?
With what authority do we do these things in our community of faith and life?
What do we truly thirst for?"
In the Responsorial Psalm we acclaim,
"My soul is thirsting for You, O Lord my God" (Ps. 63:2b). We, as
disciples of Jesus - resulting from our baptism - are called by the Lord to
follow Him and walk in His ways. Like doing a few basic things and having faith
and trust in Him and the Father Who sent Him; loving as we are loved by our
heavenly Father; forgiving because we are forgiven; and showing mercy, for we
have received mercy. Now let's put it all together very simply. We are called
to love God with our whole self and share that love with others, then we will
have the authority that comes from Him.
Sts. Marcellinus and Peter, Martyrs,
pray for us.