Tuesday of the 22nd week in ordinary time, year 2, 2024
Memorial of St Gregory the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church
Reflection by Fr Collins Akhigbe, OP
Scriptural passages
1st reading. 1 Cor 2:10-16. Psalm 145. Gospel. Lk 4:31-37
Theme: Teaching with Authority
“Jesus then went down to Capernaum, a town of Galilee. He taught them on the Sabbath, and they were astonished at his teaching because he spoke with authority.” (Lk 4:31-32). We celebrate, today, St Gregory the Great, a great servant of God. He led the Church as a true shepherd of Christ. He wrote and taught with authority like his Master. We are celebrating him today because of the legacy he left behind. His life is a mirror for us to look up to. As we celebrate this memorial, the Church call her children to proclaim the kingdom of heaven with power and authority in imitation of Christ. To follow the footsteps of Christ, we must have the spirit of Christ. The spirit of wisdom and understanding. The spirit of sacrificial love. The Master himself told us, all authority in heaven and earth has been given to me (Mt 28:18). In this reflection, we shall highlight why Jesus taught with authority and how to teach with authority.
Why Jesus Taught With Authority
First, Jesus Christ is God himself (Jn 1:1). He has the power over the universe. All authority in heaven and earth come from Jesus Christ (Mt 28:18). This is why Jesus must of necessity teach with power and authority.
Second, the Lord Jesus is the message proclaimed by the prophets and teachers. He teaches with authority because he knows everything and understands everything. He is not limited like humans.
Third, Jesus Christ is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.(Rev 1:8). This is why he teaches with authority. His knowledge is not limited at all. He knew when the world was created. The world came into existence through him. This is why he teaches with authority.
Fourth, Jesus Christ is perfect. This is why he teaches with authority. The Master told us to be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect (Mt 5:48). This is actually a call to be like Jesus Christ, the perfect one.
How to teach with authority
First, to teach with authority, we need to have sound knowledge of the word of God. Without good and sound knowledge, we cannot teach with authority.
Second, to teach with authority, we need to be men and women of integrity. A life of holiness gives power and authority to the teacher. In other words, walk the talk. When a teacher lives out what he preaches, his power become powerful. He becomes capable of teaching with authority because he is bearing witness to his message.
Third, we can teach with authority when we have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The Lord is the one who gives us the anointing for teaching with power and authority. The more we have an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ, the more we are capable of teaching with authority.
Fourth, when we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we can teach with authority we power. In other words, if we allow the Holy Spirit to use us, we become a powerful instrument of God. We become capable of teaching with authority.
Fifth, we can also teach with authority when we are in our duty post. The Lord has given us a different and specific mission. If you are doing what the Lord ask of you, you will excel and teach with authority and power. When the Lord gives us an assignment, he gives us the facility and grace to carry it out. These are some of the ways we can teach with authority.
Prayers
Lord, help us to walk the talk. Lord, give us the grace of understanding and wisdom. Lord, help us to proclaim the kingdom of heaven with power, authority and deliver us from fears and anxiety. Lord, please sustain us till the very end. Amen. I wish you a beautiful day.
With lots of prayers and love
