Fr. Paul D. Scalia: As One Having Authority

By Fr. Paul D. Scalia, The Catholic Thing, Jan. 28, 2024

Fr. Paul Scalia is a priest of the Diocese of Arlington, VA, where he serves as Episcopal Vicar for Clergy and Pastor of Saint James in Falls Church. He is the author of That Nothing May Be Lost: Reflections on Catholic Doctrine and Devotion and the editor of Sermons in Times of Crisis: Twelve Homilies to Stir Your Soul.

Today’s Gospel (Mark 1:21-28) tells us that the people were “astonished” and “amazed.” They were “astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes.” They “were amazed and asked one another, ‘What is this? A new teaching with authority. He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.’” We shouldn’t pass over this astonishment and amazement as if, of course, that’s what Jesus does, but rather turn our attention to what caused it.

Authority is at the center of our Lord’s life and mission, and the flashpoint of his conflict with Israel’s leaders. The legitimacy of his public life – and, indeed, of his very Person – comes down to this one question: “By what authority are you doing these things, or who gave you this authority to do them?” (Mark 11:28) …

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