Unsanctioned Authority

Unsanctioned Authority
Epiphany 4; Mark 1:21-28
They said he spoke with authority:
a truth more real than the words of scribes,
a truth their leaders dare not see.

The unclean spirit loudly said
both Jesus' name and holy fame.
At his command that spirit fled.

He dared to heal in the synagogue:
the bent stood straight, the withered whole.
No wonder crowds were all agog.

They saw in him authority
those authorized would not confirm.
Now what does that mean for you and me?

I know I'm not Jesus, yet maybe
if I'm authentic, name what's real,
I can claim the Spirit's authority.

We still have scribes who expect respect
for guarding the rules of who may do what:
unsanctioned authority they suspect.

The powers that be still need the right
to say who may teach or interpret the Word,
so they hand out candles, avoid harsh light.

Yet how do we know that the word we say
is true of God and not unclean?
Is there a wise and honest way?

Let me be humble, yet staunchly stand
in confidence to share my gifts,
with ears attuned and practised hand.
  Barbara Messner 22/01/2024