“The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you shall heed such a prophet.” (Deut 18:15)Then, in the Gospel of Mark, we read of the beginning of Jesus’ ministry with his disciples. Together they enter into the synagogue and Jesus begins teaching.
“They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority.” ( Mark 1:22)He spoke not as a scribe reciting text but as someone living and breathing the word. And the impact of this, as he rebuked and drove out an unclean spirit, was strong.
“A new teaching – and with authority!” (Mark 1:27)It is hard to imagine, in the society that surrounds us today, that level of excitement regarding authority. No one likes to be told, or even receive the mere suggestion, that they could or should be living their life differently. Mainstream society lives by a theology of “be kind”, but to whom and on what terms is open for debate but not instruction. World leaders and police forces misuse or abuse their power. Division reigns; chaos peeks around the corner. Confusion, mistrust, and conspiracy theories have chipped away at our pillars of authority, leaving only a crumbling structure that threatens to topple. Instruction and advice is constantly challenged or belittled or met with rage. So who is right? How can we possibly know? Who on earth has authority? Thankfully, no one. No one on earth has final authority. In our lives and our actions, we can only point to the one who does. Like the prophet in Deuteronomy, who delivers the message in a way people can hear; like Jesus in the synagogue, who shares the living message of his father in Heaven; we must live and breathe and do and say the word of God. Twenty years ago, wrecked by a confrontation, I could have shut up and sat back. But I showed up in class the following Monday the same person I had been the past Friday. I knew who I was, what I believed, and where I was heading. Then, and today, I cannot and will not change to appease an angry world. I am not a prophet. I am certainly no authority. No one needs to listen to me (except my children! I would like them to listen to me). But in my words and deeds, I hope I can demonstrate to others that there is an authority. With reassuring hopefulness, we don’t have to have all the answers. We just need to know, in confidence, that someone else does.
In June, 2024, the domed roof and interior of St. Anne's Anglican Church in Toronto tragically burned down. However, the parish community continues to stand strong and serve its neighbourhood.
Pope Francis invites us to pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life, that the ecclesial community might welcome the desires and doubts of those young people who feel a call to serve Christ’s mission in the priesthood and religious life.
Pope Francis invites us to pray for the right to an education for migrants, refugees and those affected by war; that their right to an education, which is necessary to build a better world, may always be respected.
I had the wonderful opportunity to meet with the CND sisters and enjoy a special lunch of soup, pizza, salad, and dessert. While I was there, I thought it would be a great opportunity to ask the sisters about what they were looking forward to this Christmas.
In this month of December, Pope Francis asks us to pray for pilgrims of hope: We pray that this Jubilee Year strengthens our faith, helping us to recognize the Risen Christ in our daily lives, and that it may transform us into pilgrims of Christian hope.