There is a theme for today’s reflection that links the reading from Genesis to the Gospel: “He speaks with authority.” Especially in Saint Mark’s Gospel, we see how often the crowds that watched Jesus’ teaching and healing were impressed by his authoritative manner; he did not teach as other rabbis did, providing interpretation of Jewish scripture and healing in Yahweh’s name. Jesus spoke and acted as if he were himself Yahweh.

In his first chapter, Mark writes: “On the sabbath, he entered the synagogue and taught. The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught as one having authority and not as the scribes.” Moments later, he drives an unclean spirit out of a man in the synagogue, and witnesses ask, “What is this? A new teaching with authority. He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him” (Mark 1:21-22; 27).

In today’s Gospel, taken from the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus displays a profound understanding of human nature and condemns our tendency to judge arrogantly, forgetting our own faults. His tone is that of a lawgiver, that of Yahweh in the Ten Commandments.

Today’s first reading shows Yahweh sending Abram from Haran to Canaan and beyond, telling Abram that he will make of Abram and his descendants “a great nation” (Genesis 12:2). Abram’s instant and total compliance with God’s orders should inspire us to avoid arrogant judgment, as Jesus orders us to do.

One thinks of Pope Francis’ famous “Who am I to judge?” when asked his opinion of homosexual behavior. Let’s pray today for the humility we need in our ongoing Christian pilgrimage to eternity.

Prayer:

Grant, O Lord, that we may always revere and love your holy name, for you never deprive of your guidance those you set firm on the foundation of your love. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Collect of today’s Mass)