TEACH AS JESUS TAUGHT
Jesus’ way of teaching gave the impression to the people that they were facing something unknown and admirable. The oldest Gospel signals this, and the investigators think that it was really that way. Jesus doesn’t teach like the «learned» of the Law. He does it with «authority»: his word frees people from «evil spirits».
We mustn’t confuse «authority» with «power». The Gospel writer Mark is precise in his language. Jesus’ word doesn’t come from power. Jesus doesn’t try to impose his own will on others. He doesn’t teach in order to control the behavior of the people. He doesn’t use coercion.
His word isn’t like that of the learned of the Jewish religion. He isn’t vested in institutional power. His «authority» is born of the power of the Spirit. It comes from his love for the people. He seeks to alleviate suffering, heal wounds, promote a more healthy life. Jesus doesn’t generate submission, infantilism or passivity. He frees from fears, instils trust in God, encourages people to seek a new world.
No one today can deny that we are going through a grave crisis of authority. Trust in institutional word is almost non-existent. Within the Church there’s talk of a strong «devaluation of the magisterium». Homilies are boring. Words are worn out.
Isn’t this the time to return to Jesus and learn to teach as he did? The Church’s word should be born of true love for people. It should be spoken after a careful listening to the suffering that’s in the world, not before. It should be close, welcoming, capable of accompanying the painful life of human beings.
We need a word that is more freed from the seduction of power and more filled with the power of the Spirit. A teaching born from respect and valuing of people, that generates hope and heals wounds.
It would be serious if, within the Church, we hear a «doctrine of the learned» and not Jesus’ healing word that people so need today in order to live with hope.
José Antonio Pagola
Translator: Fr. Jay VonHandorf
