January 29, 2012
4th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Today - it is tough being a person of/with authority whether one is a politician, a banker or clergy. The public is aware of our failures and expresses disapproval. In the Gospel, Jesus speaks and acts with authority. In Greek "authority" means "power." In Latin "authority" means "to create" and "to increase." With Jesus, his word is deed. Jesus speaks for God and as God. "I say unto you..." When we listen to the words of Jesus, we hear the voice of God. Parents are persons with awesome authority. They create a family of faith, hope and love. Parents share the faith, instill virtue and value; and teach right from wrong. On occasion parents are called upon to say "no" to the disapproval of their children; to say this behavior is not appropriate in our home, not worthy of a child of God. Parents are more often called upon to say "yes" -- to encourage, to build confidence, to equip their children with a moral compass for decision-making. Parents must say "yes" when adult children go off on their own and accept responsibility for their own lives. For all of us in the authority, let us pray for gifts of the Holy Spirit: discernment, wisdom, courage, compassion and conviction to guide and direct people entrusted to our care.
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3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
