Sunday Reflection with Fr Terry Tastard - 30 October 2011

There is a crisis of authority in our world today. Institutions which once commanded respect are no longer treated as the foundations of our society. Politicians are widely regarded as being on the make. Journalists are seen as intrusive and insensitive. The failings of the Church have led to a tremendous loss of respect in the eyes of the public, and to the charge of hypocrisy.

The police were derided for their behaviour in the recent riots. Doctors and nurses certainly have our respect, but we are quick, nevertheless, to criticise them when the NHS does not come up to expectations. The armed forces are among the few institutions to retain respect - not surprisingly, given that they are prepared to put their lives on the line.

Some of the criticisms made of our institutions are exaggerated, some are unfair or come from unreasonable demands - but it is hard to escape the conclusion that we have a crisis of authority. Where this is the case, a people grow cynical and the bonds of society are weakened.

It is against this backdrop that we need to hear the words of Jesus in today's gospel (Matt. 23.1-12), words that are puzzling. If you take the literal meaning then you could not address your father as 'Dad' and no teacher could call themselves a teacher.

Clearly his words must mean something deeper and more powerful. Jesus is telling us what true authority would look like.

You have only one Father he tells us. In a deeply patriarchal society this must have been challenging indeed. We have one Father in the sense of one origin, one loving eternal source of all life. Under this authority we all live. All earthly authority is exercised with this knowledge, that we are all under God and answer to God. The point of having authority is to use it for the good of all. By this we shall all be judged. No wonder his words conclude with a reminder that anyone who exalts himself will be humbled.

You have only one Teacher, the Christ is a challenge to us all. There are many teachers in society. The Church says that parents are the first teachers of their children. There are other teachers: godparents, school staff, scout leaders, catechists, counsellors, clergy, and yes, especially those who create and shape the media through what comes to us in film, print, television and the internet. These teachers have great influence. How does their influence measure against the eternal wisdom brought to us by Christ? How do they look seen in the light not only of his words but of the message of his life, death and resurrection?

You have only one Master he tells us and you are all brothers. Titles and ostentation do not mean that people will be good teachers, wise guides or reliable leaders. We cannot hand our life over to others in complete passivity. The powerful and the humble people both answer to God, who tells us that the greatest among you must be your servant. Tradition is there to guide us, but it can only help us if we each take responsibility for how we live. Each of us is beloved by God. We have to have the confidence to come to God, to ask him to shed light on our lives, to ask him to help us to discern the way forward, to help us shape our lives so that we can live fruitfully and wisely, and yes, serve one another like Christ.

Fr Terry is parish priest at St Mary's in Finchley East. Fr Terry's latest book: Ronald Knox and English Catholicism is published by Gracewing at £12.99 and is available on Amazon, on ICN's front page. To read Sr Gemma Simmonds' review on ICN see: www.indcatholicnews.com/news.php?viewStory=16114