Trinity XVII (A) – Sunday 1st October 2023 – St Anne’s, Wrenthorpe
“By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?”
That could be a line from today’s Gospel, or a question framed in this or any age, about anything.
We set great store in the concept of ‘authority’.
We need to know that something is authentic, credible and, dare I say it, worthy of our trust.
We often respond to uniforms and rules because they represent authority that doesn’t need much explanation and, in the main, keeps us safe!
Hmmmm!
We want to believe….
But in most areas of life, we like to ask a few questions first.
We want our sources of information to be reliable.
We want to know that we are on solid ground…unassailable in our choices…
We want to be RIGHT!
Oh how we want that….!
Yet, isn’t that just a folly that catches us out every time?
To live our best lives, we have to trust the world around us – the news we consume, the products we buy, those who lead our nation and form policies that affect our society;
Those who we trust to set agendas for the planet and the future of our children.
By what right, by what authority, does the world influence and guide us – shaping our lives?
This challenging question is becoming more of a concern with every passing day!
Can we trust those who inform us?
We live in an age where Fake News is not only a ‘thing’ but also the stick of fear, constantly battering us to stay awake and seek our own answers; we are to be so informed as to be almost omniscient and able to know the truth at every turn! Except we don’t.
With UK and US elections on the horizon, how will we know what or who to believe?
And what about celebrities and other public figures, who seem to operate within a realm of authority that is never challenged …until we hear of something awful and then we ask: who let this happen…?
We hear about Artificial Intelligence on nearly every news briefing these days!
How it will make our lives terrible or wonderful, depending on who you listen to….
Anyone can manipulate words and pictures to misinform – to fool us.
Yet who provides the authority for this to occur? Does it exist?
For nations at war, disinformation is rife. With impartiality as the golden rule – who has authority for truth?
And using the words Authority and Church in the same sentence, can often lead to complex and heated debate!
Yes, we have some serious concerns about authority and authenticity and truth.
And why shouldn’t we?
Sadly, such questions mostly go unanswered… in ways that would comfort us.
Yet we trust Jesus….
A man we hear about and read about and pray to…
We have never met this person of scripture, from a long time ago…
We trust him and acknowledge His authority….
We believe in His oneness with God and the Holy Spirit ….
We trust the scriptures we have been given, and we have the freedom to question them – test their authenticity and debate their theological integrity.
We live in a future far removed from the time of Jesus’s earthly life – 2000 years of testing and debating scripture and theological reasoning…. And of course going to war over it all, time after time.
Maybe we do question the Church’s authority on its biblical teaching….but as that might be a heated debate…. We can do that later!
Those that questioned Jesus were not wrong for doing so.
Naturally the religious authorities wanted to investigate the content of His teaching.
If he is promoting resistance to the Romans, the whole people will suffer for it.
If his teaching about the law and the prophets is wrong, it could bring down divine judgement upon them.
Jesus pushed back to test where their intentions lay…
It was clear, in their answer – “we don’t know” – that they were afraid of entering into a debate, or even taking a side…
They had no desire to seek the truth.
Two sons – one who rebels and then turns to the path of righteousness….
The other looks the part, says all the right words but essentially chooses a path to benefit himself.
In asking about John the Baptiser, Jesus knew they were referring to those whose lives were changed in their encounter with John – the tax collectors and prostitutes, and many more.
The other son…. Well, Jesus was just describing those in front of Him, asking the questions!
Yes we trust in Jesus.
Our lives are lived in the Holy Spirit.
We too seek a oneness with God.
Mostly we ask for no more proof of authority.
But others do.
Those who challenge the Christian faith – or the integrity of any faith – will ask for proof and justification: By what authority is religion still with us?
And there are others who seek – who hope for better and want to know more about this Jesus…..
And they come to us.
Will they find the truth here?
Will they see us living as disciples?
By what authority will we speak of the free gift of grace from God;
If we are challenged…. What do we say?
We don’t need to defend God…
But we can show them where God is….
We don’t need to justify the Bible…
But we can show how its words can bring life..
We have endeavoured to show in our lives, the fruits of Christs redemption…
Lives that have been lit by the light of christ.
We have known the struggles and joys of saying: “Yes, I am a Christian, and here’s why….”
What other authority is needed to live differently and love our neighbour?
If we can live in such a way that those around us are reassured that a person of faith is in their midst;
If our words and actions match the gospel we proclaim – however we do it;
If we continue to seek the face of God – meeting Christ in every stranger…
Then we are being authentic.
Such a quality can be catching….!
Jesus asks us to consider which is the better path to take:
to make huge promises, speak wonderful words about all we will do… and then not do any of it;
or be rebellious – having said “NO” al of the time, refusing to do what was required… and then …have a change of heart, turn around and take the righteous path – into the light.
We can keep doing that – knowing we are loved.
We know that following Christ, in the ways of obedience and humble service, is not the easy way.
We’re called to respond to God’s ongoing challenge.
It’s not sufficient to come to church week by week and say the same words – important though that is.
It’s not enough to rely on the faith of other people; we have to keep developing and deepening our own relationship with God – being obedient to his will, which may challenge and call us into new ways of thinking, believing and worshipping.
In the days ahead, remember:
This is a challenge for ALL OF US – warning us not to sit still and stagnate in our faith.
Calling US to explore and be open to God in new ways.
Reminding US not to be complacent in our relationship with the living God.
Amen.
Matthew 21.23-32 – Philippians 2.1-13 – Ezekiel 18.1-4, 25-end
Photo by Davide Cantelli on Unsplash