From: Mark 11:27-33

Jesus’ Authority

[27] And they (Jesus and his disciples) came to Jerusalem. And as he was wal-
king in the temple, the chief priests and the scribes and the elders came to him,
[28] and they said to him, “By what authority are you doing these things, or who
gave you this authority to do them?” [29] Jesus said to them, “I will ask you a
question; answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. [30]
Was the baptism of John from heaven or from men? Answer me.” [31] And they
argued with one another, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why then did
not you not believe him?’ [32] But shall we say, ‘From men’?”—they were afraid
of the people, for all held that John was a real prophet. [33] So they answered
Jesus, “We do not know.” And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by
what authority I do these things.”

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Commentary:

27-33. Those who put this question to Jesus are the same people as, some days
earlier, sought to destroy him (cf. Mk 11:18). They represent the official Judaism
of the period (cf. note on Mt 2:4). Jesus had already given proofs and signs of be-
ing the Messiah, in his miracles and preaching; and St. John the Baptist had
borne witness about who Jesus was. This is why, before replying, our Lord asks
them to recognize the truth proclaimed by the Precursor. But they do not want
to accept this truth; nor do they want to reject it publicly, out of fear of the people.
Since they are not ready to admit their mistake, any further explanation Jesus
might offer would serve no purpose.

This episode has many parallels in everyday life: anyone who seeks to call God
to account will be confounded.

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Source: “The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries”. Biblical text from the
Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries by members of
the Faculty of Theology, University of Navarre, Spain.

Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland, and
by Scepter Publishers in the United States.

Mass Readings

First reading	Jude 1:17,20-25 ©

Remember, my dear friends, what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ told you to expect. But you, my dear friends, must use your most holy faith as your foundation and build on that, praying in the Holy Spirit; keep yourselves within the love of God and wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to give you eternal life. When there are some who have doubts reassure them; when there are some to be saved from the fire, pull them out; but there are others to whom you must be kind with great caution, keeping your distance even from outside clothing which is contaminated by vice.

Glory be to him who can keep you from falling and bring you safe to his glorious presence, innocent and happy. To God, the only God, who saves us through Jesus Christ our Lord, be the glory, majesty, authority and power, which he had before time began, now and for ever. Amen.

Psalm	Psalm 62:2-6 ©

For you my soul is thirsting, O Lord, my God.

O God, you are my God, for you I long;

for you my soul is thirsting.

My body pines for you

like a dry, weary land without water.

For you my soul is thirsting, O Lord, my God.

So I gaze on you in the sanctuary

to see your strength and your glory.

For your love is better than life,

my lips will speak your praise.

For you my soul is thirsting, O Lord, my God.

So I will bless you all my life,

in your name I will lift up my hands.

My soul shall be filled as with a banquet,

my mouth shall praise you with joy.

For you my soul is thirsting, O Lord, my God.

Gospel Acclamation	1P1:25

Alleluia, alleluia!

The word of the Lord remains for ever:

What is this word?

It is the Good News that has been brought to you.

Alleluia!

Or	cf.Col3:16a,17

Alleluia, alleluia!

Let the message of Christ, in all its richness,

find a home with you;

through him give thanks to God the Father.

Alleluia!

Gospel	Mark 11:27-33 ©

Jesus and his disciples came to Jerusalem, and as Jesus was walking in the Temple, the chief priests and the scribes and the elders came to him, and they said to him, ‘What authority have you for acting like this? Or who gave you authority to do these things?’ Jesus said to them, ‘I will ask you a question, only one; answer me and I will tell you my authority for acting like this. John’s baptism: did it come from heaven, or from man? Answer me that.’ And they argued it out this way among themselves: ‘If we say from heaven, he will say, “Then why did you refuse to believe him?” But dare we say from man?’ – they had the people to fear, for everyone held that John was a real prophet. So their reply to Jesus was, ‘We do not know.’ And Jesus said to them, ‘Nor will I tell you my authority for acting like this.’