Who Has Authority in Our Lives?

Over the past few weeks, I have found myself reflecting upon a question that is perhaps worth each of us considering: What authority do we actually give to Jesus in our lives? 

It is relatively easy to say that we give authority to God. After all, God is God! Yet, when we consider that God chose to become human in the person of Jesus Christ, the question becomes a little more personal. How much authority do we actually give to Jesus- the one who invites us into a personal relationship with him? Jesus is the Word made flesh (cf. Jn 1:14). He is the living expression of God’s Word, revealed throughout the entirety of Sacred Scripture. Consequently, giving authority to Jesus means allowing his words, teachings and example to shape the way we think, the decisions we make, the relationships we nurture and the lives we lead. This is no small invitation! 

The Catechism of the Catholic Church (#460) expresses something quite extraordinary about the reason for God’s becoming human: ‘The Word became flesh to make us “partakers of the divine nature”: “For the Son of God became man so that we might become God.”‘ In other words, God’s intention for us is far greater than simply becoming better people or trying to imitate Jesus from a distance. We are invited into intimate communion with him, to become sharers in his divine nature. Through Jesus Christ, we are invited to participate in the very life of God. 

However, this transformation requires something of us. We cannot become sharers in the divine nature while insisting on retaining complete sovereignty over our own lives. We cannot continually ask Jesus to bless our decisions while refusing to let him challenge them. We cannot claim to follow him while reserving the right to disregard his teachings whenever they become inconvenient. 

This is why I have been particularly conscious of this question when listening to the Word of God proclaimed at Mass. When we gather for Mass, we listen to readings from Sacred Scripture. Yet, how often do we genuinely allow ourselves to be challenged by what we hear? Do we listen with an openness to being changed, or do we sometimes listen simply out of familiarity, recognising the stories and passages without necessarily allowing them to penetrate our hearts? 

There is something particularly important here. The proclamation of God’s Word at Mass includes not only the Scripture readings but also the homily. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal reminds us that, through the readings explained in the homily, God speaks to his people, opening up to them the mystery of redemption and salvation. The homily, therefore, is not just an opportunity for the priest to share a few thoughts, opinions, or offer some religious commentary. It is an integral part of the Liturgy of the Word, helping the assembly understand, reflect upon and respond to what God is saying. 

Of course, this places a responsibility on those who preach. But it also places a responsibility on those who listen. We are invited to be attentive, receptive and willing to allow God’s Word to speak into the circumstances of our everyday lives. Perhaps the question we should ask ourselves after hearing the readings and homily each Sunday is not, ‘What did I learn today?’ but rather, ‘What is Jesus asking me to change, embrace or do differently as a result of what I have heard?’ 

Next Sunday, we celebrate the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. It is a wonderful opportunity to reflect upon the kingship of Jesus and what it means to place him at the centre of our lives. Recognising Jesus as King involves more than acknowledging his authority in prayer. It means allowing his authority to influence every part of who we are. 

So, as we approach this great feast, I invite you to consider a simple question: Does Jesus genuinely have authority over my life, or have I become accustomed to giving him authority only over the parts of my life with which I am comfortable? May we become a community that does more than simply hear God’s Word. May we receive it, wrestle with it, respond to it and allow ourselves to be transformed by it. 

Peace and love – Fr Josh