2021/12/27

19. Divine Authority

"And a great portent appeared in heaven, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars" (Revelation 12:1). Last time, I wrote that this portent shows the image of the Holy Spirit and the priest collaborating for the body and blood of Christ becoming present in the Mass. This image echoes the words of the angel Gabriel to Mary: "He will be great (clothed with the sun), and will be called the Son of the Most High (with the moon under his feet); and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David (on her head a crown of twelve stars)" (Luke 1:32). On the other hand, the words an angel told Joseph in his dream was different from what Mary had been told; he was told that Jesus would save his people from their sins.¹ God's way of "saving from sin" was to forgive and heal sins. The blood and water that flowed from the side of Jesus on the cross was a sure sign that the divine authority for forgiveness and healing of sins covered the whole of humanity. The Evangelist writes: "He who saw it has borne witness – his testimony is true, and he knows that he tells the truth – that you also may believe" (John 19:35). Jesus came into the world with the divine authority from his Father to forgive and heal all sins. While Jesus was an infant, his earthly father, Joseph, was entrusted with this authority and exercised it to protect Jesus and his mother Mary, following the angel's instructions.² After Jesus' ascension and the descent of the Holy Spirit, the Apostles, receiving the Holy Spirit, are entrusted with this authority and practice it to protect the Body and Blood of Christ and the Church collaborating with the Holy Spirit. Therefore, the risen Jesus, to make the Apostles remember he said this when the Holy Spirit descends, breathed on them beforehand and told them: "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained" (John 20:22-23). Thomas was not there at that time, but fellow Apostles must have shared with him what had happened, saying, "We have seen the Lord." However, he could not believe what they said. When Jesus appeared again eight days later, Thomas saw him and believed. Jesus said: "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe" (John 20:29). What Jesus talked about at that time was the blessedness of those who believe the Holy Spirit, who is invisible and was to come and guide them after his ascension.

References 1. Matthew 1:21, 2. Matthew 1:24-25, 2:13-23, Luke 2:1-7, 2:41-50

Maria K. M.