21st Sunday – Cycle A

Is 22:19-23; Rom 11:33-36; Mt 16:13-20

The Purpose of Authority

Someone imagined that when people arrived at heaven, there were two lines.

One sign said: “Men who were bossed by their wives.”

The other sign said: “Men who were not bossed by their wives.”

A very long line formed under the first sign.

But under the second sign, there was only one man standing!

The person checking the names in the Book of Life became curious. He looked at the man and asked:

“Why are you standing in this line?”

The man replied:

“My wife told me to stand here!”

We smile at that story. But behind the humour there is a serious question:

What is authority really for?

Why do we give authority to someone?

Is authority given so that a person can control others?

Is it given so that someone can say, “I am the boss here”?

Or is authority given for something greater?

Today’s readings give us a beautiful answer:

In God’s kingdom, authority is not given to dominate people. Authority is given to serve people.

What kind of authority does Jesus want?

We all know that some people, when they receive a little authority, immediately want to show it.

They like giving orders.

They like being obeyed.

They want people to know who is in charge.

But Jesus presents a completely different understanding of authority.

For Jesus, authority is not about power over people.

It is about responsibility for people.

It is not about making people smaller.

It is about helping people become stronger.

It is not about controlling others.

It is about serving others.

And that is why Jesus gives authority to His Church—not to enslave people, but to serve them in love and lead them towards God.

“Who do you say that I am?”

Now let us come to today’s Gospel.

Jesus is travelling with His disciples, and He brings them to Caesarea Philippi.

There Jesus asks them a very important question:

“Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”

The disciples begin giving different answers.

“Some say John the Baptist.”

“Others say Elijah.”

“Others say Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

In other words, people had different opinions about Jesus.

They knew that Jesus was special.

They had seen His miracles.

They had heard His teaching.

They had seen Him heal the sick.

They had experienced His compassion.

But they had not yet understood completely who Jesus really was.

Then Jesus makes the question personal.

He looks at His disciples and asks:

“But who do you say that I am?”

Brothers and sisters, this is one of the most important questions in the whole Gospel.

Jesus is not asking:

“What are other people saying about me?”

He is asking:

“What do you say about me?”

And perhaps Jesus asks the same question of every one of us today:

“Who am I for you?”

It is easy to say what our parents taught us.

It is easy to repeat what our catechism says.

It is easy to say what the Church teaches.

But Jesus wants something deeper.

He wants us to discover Him personally.

Because second-hand faith is not enough.

Our parents may have faith.

Our priests may have faith.

Our friends may have faith.

But eventually, each one of us has to make our own personal confession of faith.

We have to discover Jesus for ourselves.

Peter’s great confession

And then Peter speaks.

Peter says:

“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

What a beautiful confession!

Peter recognizes something that others have not yet fully understood.

Jesus is not simply a teacher.

He is not merely a prophet.

He is not only a healer.

He is the Christ, the Son of the living God.

And Jesus responds:

“Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven.”

Then Jesus says those famous words:

“You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church.”

And He gives Peter the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven.

He gives him authority to bind and to loose.

Here we see something very important.

Jesus connects two things:

Peter’s faith in Jesus—and Peter’s responsibility to serve the Church.

The authority comes after the confession of faith.

In other words, Peter is not given authority simply to become powerful.

He is given authority because he has confessed the truth about Jesus and is called to help others live that truth.

This passage has therefore been central to the Catholic understanding of the ministry of Peter and his successors, the Popes.

It also helps us understand the Church’s authority in matters such as forgiveness and reconciliation, especially through the Sacrament of Confession.

Faith is more than information

But let us ask an important question:

How do we really come to know that Jesus is the Son of God?

Is it simply by studying?

Is it through research?

Is it by reading many books?

Certainly, study is important.

We should know our faith.

We should read Scripture.

We should learn the teachings of the Church.

But Christian faith is more than information.

Faith is a personal encounter with Jesus.

We come to know Jesus when we experience Him in our daily lives.

When we pray.

When we forgive.

When we serve.

When we suffer and discover that He is with us.

When we experience His mercy.

When we hear His Word.

When we receive Him in the Eucharist.

When we recognize His presence in people around us.

Faith grows when we allow Jesus to live in us and among us.

And therefore we must also pray for the grace to know Him more deeply.

We cannot create this faith by our own strength alone.

It is a gift of God—and we must be willing to receive it and cooperate with His grace.

Authority and responsibility

Now, there is another important point in today’s Gospel.

Look at Peter.

Was Peter perfect?

No!

Peter was a human being.

He was weak.

He made mistakes.

He sometimes spoke without thinking.

He even denied Jesus during His Passion.

And yet Jesus entrusted him with the keys of the Kingdom.

Why?

Because God can work through imperfect people.

That should give all of us hope.

Sometimes we may look at the weaknesses and failures of people in the Church and become discouraged.

But we should remember:

The Church is guided by Christ even though the people in the Church are human.

The successors of Peter have not always lived perfectly.

Church leaders have sometimes made mistakes.

But Jesus has never abandoned His Church.

He promised:

“The powers of death shall not prevail against it.”

The strength of the Church does not come from the perfection of its human members.

The strength of the Church comes from Christ.

Authority must be servant leadership

Pope Benedict XVI, at the beginning of his ministry as Pope, described himself as a “weak servant of God.”

What a beautiful expression!

A person who has enormous responsibility describes himself not as a powerful ruler, but as a servant.

And Pope John Paul II, at the beginning of his papacy, gave that memorable invitation:

“Open wide the doors for Christ!”

These words remind us what Christian authority should be.

Authority should open doors, not close them.

Authority should bring people closer to Christ, not push them away.

Authority should serve, not dominate.

Authority should help people discover the love and mercy of God.

And this is true not only for the Pope or bishops.

It is true for every person who has responsibility.

It is true for priests.

It is true for parents.

It is true for teachers.

It is true for parish leaders.

It is true for those who have responsibility in society.

Whenever God gives us authority, He is also giving us a responsibility.

The lesson from Isaiah

We see this very clearly in today’s first reading from the Prophet Isaiah.

Shebna was given an important position in the royal household.

He had authority.

But he misused that authority.

And God says that he will be removed from his position.

Eliakim is chosen in his place.

The key of the house of David is placed upon his shoulder.

What does this tell us?

Authority is a gift—but it is also a responsibility.

If authority is abused, it can be taken away.

If authority is used selfishly, it becomes dangerous.

If authority is used to serve, it becomes a blessing.

So whenever we receive responsibility, we should ask:

“Am I using this authority for myself, or for the good of others?”

That is a question worth asking in every family, every parish, every institution and every society.

Why do people resist authority?

Look at the world around us.

Today many people are suspicious of authority.

Why?

Because people have seen authority abused.

When leaders become arrogant…

When power is used selfishly…

When people are treated unfairly…

When there is no transparency…

When the weak are ignored…

people naturally begin to resist.

Authority without justice creates anger.

Authority without humility creates rebellion.

Authority without love creates fear.

That is why Jesus teaches us a different way.

Jesus says:

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”

But how does Jesus use His authority?

Does He use it to make people afraid?

No.

He washes their feet.

Does He use it to make people serve Him?

No.

He serves them.

Does He use His power to destroy sinners?

No.

He forgives them.

Does He use His authority to lift Himself up?

No.

He humbles Himself, even to the point of death on the Cross.

This is the authority of Jesus.

Authority becomes truly Christian when it becomes service.

Authority is a blessing—and a burden

Brothers and sisters, authority is both a blessing and a burden.

If you are a parent, you have authority over your children.

But why?

Not simply to command them.

Your authority is meant to help them grow into responsible and loving adults.

If you are a teacher, you have authority over your students.

But why?

Not to humiliate them.

Your authority is meant to help them discover their gifts and become better human beings.

If you are a priest, you have authority in the parish.

But why?

Not to control people.

Your authority is meant to bring people closer to Christ.

If you are a parish leader, you have responsibility.

But why?

Not to make others feel that you are important.

Your responsibility is to build up the community.

And if you have authority in society, remember:

Power is never given simply for personal privilege. It is given for the common good.

As Pope John XXIII reminded us, authority is primarily a moral power. Therefore, it must appeal to the conscience and encourage every person to contribute willingly to the common good.

What does our Church need?

There is an old saying:

“The Catholic Church will never do away with two things: authority and conferences.”

We can smile at that.

But there is wisdom in it.

The Church needs authority because someone must help give direction.

But the Church also needs listening, dialogue and participation.

When people are allowed to speak honestly, different experiences and ideas can be heard.

And when responsible authority is exercised with wisdom, the community can make sound decisions.

So we need both:

Listening and leadership.

Participation and responsibility.

Dialogue and direction.

But everything must be rooted in Christ.

What is the purpose of authority?

So, brothers and sisters, let us come back to the central message of today’s Gospel.

Jesus gave authority to Peter.

Jesus continues to entrust authority to His Church.

But for what purpose?

Not for domination.

Not for personal glory.

Not for control.

Not to make others afraid.

Jesus gives authority so that His Church may make known the Son of the living God.

The purpose of authority is service.

The purpose of authority is to build people up.

The purpose of authority is to protect the weak.

The purpose of authority is to guide people towards Christ.

The purpose of authority is to open doors for God’s grace.

And therefore, every one of us can ask ourselves today:

How do I use the authority God has given me?

If I am a parent, how do I use it?

If I am a husband or wife, how do I use my influence?

If I am a priest, how do I use my ministry?

If I am a parish leader, how do I serve?

If I am responsible for others at work, how do I treat them?

Do people experience Christ through my authority?

Or do they experience only my ego?

Do people feel encouraged by me?

Or frightened by me?

Do I open doors?

Or do I close doors?

Dear brothers and sisters,

Today’s Gospel gives us two very important lessons.

First:

Who is Jesus for me?

Can I personally say with Peter:

“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God”?

And second:

What do I do with the authority and responsibility God has given me?

Do I use it to control?

Or do I use it to serve?

Let us remember:

The world does not need more people who want to be bosses.

The world needs more people who are willing to be servants.

The Church does not need people who want to show their power.

The Church needs people who are willing to carry responsibility with humility.

The family does not need someone who always says, “I am in charge.”

The family needs someone who says,

“How can I help?”

And that is exactly what Jesus teaches us.

So let us take this message home today:

Authority is not a privilege to control others. It is a responsibility to serve them.

And whenever God places a key in our hands, may we remember:

The key is not given to lock people out.
The key is given to open doors.

May our authority open doors to forgiveness.

May it open doors to reconciliation.

May it open doors to hope.

May it open doors to God’s grace.

And may we always remember the words of Jesus:

“You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church.”

May our faith in Christ be strong.

May our leadership be humble.

May our authority become service.

And through our service, may many people come to know and love Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God.

Amen.