Weekly HOMILY for February 1, 2009: Authority Under and Authority Over

4th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Cycle B
Our Lady of Grace
February 1, 2009

Authority Under and Authority Over
By (Rev. Msgr.) Nicholas P. Amato


Authority of the Principal

Today I am recalling an experience I had back in the 1970’s, in my early years in the priesthood.

I was in the parish school, in the principal’s office. It was at the end of the school day, about three in the afternoon.

The principal and I were talking about something, and her assistant came in and said that Mrs. So-and-So was out in the hallway wanting to talk with her. The principal stepped outside and the mother started.

She disagreed with something the principal had done and was very upset. With loud, angry, and disrespectful words, this mother began berating the principal – and all of this in front of the children who were walking by, leaving the school at dismissal time.

I just sat inside the office and listened – astonished.

It was at that moment that I began to realize that something had changed – in our society, in America – something had changed for the worse in the way we treat those in authority.


Authority in the Scripture

We see this issue of authority in today’s Scripture readings.

In the first reading, Moses tells the people that the Lord will raise up prophets like himself for the people. Theses prophets will be in positions of authority.

And then in today’s gospel, the people in the synagogue “are astonished at Jesus’ teaching, for he taught them as one having authority.” So, both readings specifically raise the question of authority.

Based on the experience I had over thirty years ago, I would like to reflect with you on the issue of authority this morning. I am seeing two sides or two dimensions to the issue.

First, we are all under the authority of at least someone. And second, all adults have authority over at least someone.


Under Authority

First, we are all under the authority of at least someone.

Human society is built upon a basic respect for authority. Society cannot function effectively without this, but today there is a problem.

Today various professionals say that we are in an age of excessive individualism and that individual rights, including the right of self-expression, are no longer in balance with the rights of the community.

The mother in the incident that I recalled was completely disregarding both the person and the role of the principal, as well as the common good of that school. She was out of bounds and out of balance.

No question, sometimes there are abuses of authority – in the government, at work, in the Church, in volunteer organizations. And when there are, we need to address the dark side of authority that hurts or oppresses others.

Nevertheless, we need to view the role of authority positively. We need to remember that we are first under divine authority, the authority of God.

And then, for the well being of society, we need to respect those in authority and their role. We need to see them in the context of the common good.

We can and should think for ourselves, and express ourselves, and disagree if we are so inclined. But it is important that we do that balancing of our point of view and our right with respect for the person and role of authority as well as for the common good.


Authority Over

Secondly, all adults also have authority over at least someone.

I am thinking here of parents, teachers, day care providers, coaches, scout leaders, employers, pastors, government officials, and so on.

In these positions, we need to remember the divine origin of all authority.

The word “authority” comes from the Latin word “auctor” which means “author.” An “auctor” is a life-giver, one who gives life. That is why the Scripture refers to God as the “author of life.”

So, in our roles of authority, we need to be sure that we are giving and not diminishing life.

We need to build up and not tear down. We need to act for the good of others and not selfishly for our own good.

We are to be strong and yet gentle at the same time. We are to be freeing and not enslaving.

In other words, we are to imitate the Divine Authority. We see this so beautifully and clearly in Jesus himself.


Conclusion

So, a few thoughts today on a key topic – maybe a hot topic in our society.

We need to be mindful of authority – that we are under authority, and that we are called to exercise authority over.

Let’s allow the Lord and the Scripture to guide us in both of these experiences.