I can relate to the religious authorities in today’s Gospel. They are so concerned about how the crowds will react, that they forget to stop and consider what they believe.
Of course, the answer to the question they ask Jesus (“By what authority?” Or “who gave you this authority?”) is the same as the answer to the question about John’s baptism. If John’s baptism is from heaven, then Jesus’ authority is also from heaven; if they decide that John’s baptism is a merely human innovation, then they will also believe that Jesus is acting on his own initiative. The authorities, like many of us who occupy positions of power, find it difficult to see beyond the impact on the immediate realm they control. They miss the invitation to see the truth. But to see the truth, to recognize God at work outside (and within) the halls of power, is the essence of the Good News.
Against this challenge, the other texts for today’s liturgy show us another way. Instead of striving after power, the psalmist tells us, we should pine and thirst for God. God sustains us, often by turning our difficult questions back for us to answer. If we prioritize that thirst, paradoxically, our souls will be satisfied and our lips exultant.
As for the realms in which we humans exercise authority, the Collect reminds us that God is in charge: May the course of our world be directed by Christ’s peaceful rule.
