The theme of this week's Scriptures seems to be authority. Moses tells the people that God "will raise up for them a prophet like [him] from among their kin, and will put [God's] words in his mouth." From the authority given to him by Jesus, St. Paul writes to the community in Corinth instructing them of how they can avoid some of the anxieties that keep them from focusing on the Lord. Jesus taught with the authority inherent in his divinity. Even the unclean spirits listened to and obeyed him. We, too, listen to Jesus and follow his teachings and, in this way, show him respect.
There are people in our lives who have authority over us: parents, teachers, Church leaders, and others who show us how to follow Jesus. We need to show them respect, too, by listening to them. If we respectfully listen to the people who have authority in our lives, we will be challendged and encouraged to grow in our faith in and relationship with Jesus.
Faith Chat Question: How do you show respect for those who have authority in your life, such as parents, priests and Church leaders, teachers, and supervisors? How has listening to people in authority helped you to grow in your faith?
Faith Response: As a family, make a list of people who have positions of authority in your lives. Pray together for these people, that they may be guided with Jesus' wisdom and leadership of love.
Pray: Lord Jesus, you speak with authority, and we listen. Help us to listen to all of those people whom you have put in our lives to lead us and challenge us to grow. Amen.
