Who Has Authority?

Authority in Action Role-Play Challenge

As the facilitator, begin by introducing the Authority in Action Role-Play Challenge. Assign each participant a role from the prepared scenarios, such as a teacher, a doctor, a coach, or a parent. Each scenario should place the person in a situation where they must make decisions and guide others.

Encourage participants to act out their roles as realistically as possible, even if it feels a little silly at first. The point is not to be perfect actors but to experience what it feels like to hold authority and face the responsibility that comes with it.

After everyone has had a chance to participate, bring the group back together for discussion. Choose the number of scenarios that fits your group size and available time. The full instructions and example scenarios can be found here.

So let’s stop for a moment and think about what you just did. When you stepped into a role of authority, you probably felt a mix of things. Maybe you felt in control, but maybe you also felt nervous or unsure. Authority often carries responsibility, and responsibility means your choices affect others. That’s not always easy, and it can sometimes make us realize how serious leadership really is.

Now connect this to leaders you know in real life. Think about your teachers, parents, coaches, or even priests and bishops. They often face situations where they must make tough choices. Just like you did in the role-play, they have to balance what’s best for everyone, even when it isn’t simple. This shows us that authority is not just about having power. It is about using that power wisely and fairly.

As we move into the next part of our lesson, keep this experience in mind. The gospel shows us that Jesus held authority in a unique way. He taught with confidence and acted with courage. But His authority was always used for healing, teaching truth, and serving others. As we talk about authority in Scripture and in the Church, remember how your own role-play experience gave you a small glimpse of what it means to hold responsibility and guide others.

In what ways did the scenarios reveal the challenges and responsibilities of authority? How does this relate to the responsibilities of Church leaders?

When you were in a position of authority during the role-play, how did it affect your decision-making? Does this give you a new perspective on how Church authorities make decisions?

• What do you think the word “authority” means?
• Who are some people you would consider as authorities based on their knowledge?
• Who are some people who have authority due to their commanding manner or confidence?
• Who has the power to influence you? These are the people who are authorities in your life.

Read Mark 1:21-28

Then they came to Capernaum, and on the sabbath Jesus entered the synagogue and taught. The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes.

In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit; he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are – the Holy One of God!”

Jesus rebuked him and said, “Quiet! Come out of him!” The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him.

All were amazed and asked one another, “What is this? A new teaching with authority. He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him.”

His fame spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee.

Mark 1:21-28 – the Gospel for the 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B

When we read this gospel passage, we see something very striking about Jesus. The people who were in the synagogue that day noticed it right away. They said He did not teach like the scribes, but with real authority. Think about what that means. He spoke with knowledge, but also with confidence. He did not just talk about God. He showed God’s power in action by commanding an unclean spirit to leave a man, and the spirit obeyed. That moment must have been shocking and amazing to the crowd. They realized they were standing in the presence of someone who had authority unlike anyone else.

So where does this kind of authority come from? Jesus’ authority is not about position, like a boss at work or a principal at school. His authority comes from His relationship with the Father. He spends time in prayer. He knows the Scriptures. He listens to His Father and trusts completely. Because of this, His words carry weight and His actions bring change. This is very different from the kind of authority we usually see in the world, where power can be misused or based only on status. Jesus’ authority comes from love, truth, and obedience to God.

Now here is something for you to think about. How willing are you to see Jesus as an authority in your own life? It’s easy to admire Him and say He is wise, but do you actually let Him influence your choices? Many times, we let friends, celebrities, or social media have more authority over us than Jesus. We copy their style, listen to their opinions, or let their voices shape how we see ourselves. But Jesus’ authority is different. He does not push us down. He lifts us up. He teaches us how to live in freedom, love, and peace. So ask yourself: whose voice really leads me?

Authority can also be something that is passed on. Think about the police. They have the authority to enforce laws because the government gives it to them. Teachers have authority because the school gives them permission to teach and guide students. Doctors are given authority to treat patients when they are licensed. This is how authority works in our society. In the same way, Jesus shared His authority with the Church. He told the apostles to go out, teach, baptize, forgive sins, and heal. For two thousand years, that authority has been passed down through bishops and priests. We call this teaching authority of the Church the Magisterium.

In Luke 10:16, Jesus says, “The one who hears you hears me, and the one who rejects you rejects me, and the one who rejects me rejects him who sent me.” That means when the Church teaches in His name, it carries His authority. This is why the Church can guide us in faith and morals. It is not just human wisdom—it is guided by the Holy Spirit.

Of course, sometimes this is hard to accept. You might disagree with a Church teaching, or you might find it challenging to follow. Maybe it feels out of touch with what society is saying, or maybe it demands a sacrifice you don’t want to make. But remember, the Church has thousands of years of prayer, study, and reflection. The Holy Spirit has guided it from the beginning. It is not wise to dismiss Church teachings just because they seem inconvenient or unpopular. Instead, if something is hard to understand, that can be a sign to learn more. Talk to a priest. Read the Catechism or YOUCAT. Pray and ask the Holy Spirit for guidance.

Here’s a final question for you: why do you think it is often easier to accept what friends, celebrities, or social media say than what the Church teaches? Part of it is that those voices are loud and constant. They are everywhere and seem popular. But true authority is not measured by popularity. It is measured by truth. Jesus shows us that real authority is about serving others, staying rooted in God, and living with courage. If you let His authority guide your life, you will find freedom, even when the world pulls you in different directions.

When the large group discussion is finished, it can be very helpful to break into smaller groups. In a small group, everyone has a chance to speak and share their own thoughts. Remind participants that what is said in the group should be respected and kept private. Encourage them to listen carefully to one another and to speak honestly. Let them know there are no “wrong” answers. The goal is to think, reflect, and grow together in faith.

• How is Jesus’ authority in the gospel different from the authority you see in your daily life?
• Have you ever seen someone use authority in a way that reminded you of Jesus? What did that look like?
• What voices or people do you allow to have authority in your life right now? How do they influence you?
• Why do you think it can be difficult to accept the authority of the Church?
• What is one step you could take to better understand or accept a Church teaching you find challenging?
• How does Jesus’ relationship with the Father help you understand what true authority should look like?
• If you were given authority in a group or community, how would you want to use it to reflect Jesus’ example?

This week I want to challenge you to choose one teaching of the Catholic Church that you don’t fully understand, or maybe even one that you struggle with. It could be something about the sacraments, the Trinity, prayer, or even one of the moral teachings that feels hard to follow. Instead of ignoring it or brushing it off, take some time to dig deeper. Read a section from the Catechism or YOUCAT, watch a short video from a trusted Catholic source, or ask a priest or catechist about it. Be curious and open, and don’t be afraid to admit when you have questions. God is not afraid of your questions, and the Church has answers worth exploring.

While you are learning, spend some time in prayer. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand and to open your heart to what God wants to show you. Remember that authority in the Church exists to guide you closer to Jesus, not to weigh you down. If you give your time and attention to this challenge, you may find that something confusing becomes clearer, or that something difficult starts to make sense. Even if you don’t have it all figured out right away, you will be taking steps toward a deeper faith. Let this week be about trusting that Jesus speaks through His Church, and that listening to that authority can help you grow closer to Him.

Let’s take a moment to quiet our hearts and place ourselves in God’s presence. Close your eyes if you’d like and take a deep breath.

Lord Jesus, we thank You for showing us what true authority looks like. You taught with love. You acted with courage. You always sought the will of the Father. Help us to see You as the true authority in our lives, and give us the strength to follow where You lead.

Father, we ask You to bless the leaders in our Church and in our community. Guide them with wisdom and help them to serve with compassion and fairness. Teach us to respect the authority You have placed in our lives and to use any influence we have for good.

Holy Spirit, open our hearts so that we can listen with trust and learn with joy. Stay with us this week and help us to live as followers of Jesus, showing His love in the way we speak and act. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Themes

• Authority of Jesus: Jesus spoke and acted with true authority that came from His Father. His words and actions carried real power and brought healing. We are called to listen to Him and follow His lead.
• Authority through service: Jesus showed that real authority is about serving others, not controlling them. He used His role to lift people up and guide them to God. We are invited to do the same in our own lives.
• Authority of the Church: Jesus passed His authority to the apostles and the Church. This continues today through the Magisterium. We trust that the Holy Spirit guides the Church in teaching and leading.
• Trust in God: Jesus showed complete trust in the Father. His authority was rooted in prayer and obedience. We are called to put our trust in God in the same way.
• Influence in daily life: Many people and voices influence us each day. Friends, teachers, media, and culture all have power over us. We need to choose carefully who we allow to guide us.
• Responsibility of leadership: Having authority means making choices that affect others. It is not about power but about responsibility. Leaders must act with fairness, wisdom, and care.
• Power of prayer: Jesus’ authority was strengthened by His life of prayer. He spent time with the Father before making decisions. Prayer can give us guidance when we face choices.
• Scripture as guidance: Jesus taught with knowledge of Scripture. This gave His words strength and direction. We can also turn to Scripture for wisdom and truth.
• Delegated authority: Authority can be shared and passed on, like from a teacher to a student leader. In the Church, this is seen in how authority flows from Christ to His apostles and leaders today. This helps the faith continue through generations.
• Challenges of obedience: Accepting authority can be difficult. We may resist rules or teachings that feel hard or unpopular. Learning to obey with faith helps us grow closer to God.
• True authority inspires: When authority is used with love and truth, it inspires others. People followed Jesus because His authority gave them hope. We can also inspire when we act with integrity and care.

Background Material

Authority is a word that young people hear often, but it can mean many different things. In our Catholic faith, authority has a special meaning. It is not only about power. It is about trust, service, and guidance. When we look at the life of Jesus, we see how He taught with authority and used it to serve others. In the Gospel of Mark 1:21-28, we hear that the people were amazed because He taught with authority and even commanded unclean spirits to leave. This story shows us that His authority was different from what they were used to. It came directly from His relationship with the Father.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us that Jesus’ authority is unique. It says, “The task of giving an authentic interpretation of the Word of God has been entrusted to the living, teaching office of the Church alone. Its authority in this matter is exercised in the name of Jesus Christ” (CCC 85). This tells us that the Church does not speak on its own. It carries the authority of Christ, who gave this responsibility to His apostles and their successors. This is why the Magisterium, the teaching authority of the Church, is so important.

In Scripture, Jesus gave authority to His followers. In Luke 10:16, He said, “The one who hears you hears me, and the one who rejects you rejects me.” This shows that the apostles carried His voice to the people. In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus commanded them to go out, make disciples, and teach all nations. From the very beginning, authority was passed from Christ to His Church so that the Good News could continue to be shared.

Authority in the Catholic faith also shows us how to live. Jesus used His authority to heal, forgive, and guide. He did not use it to gain fame or comfort. Instead, He humbled Himself and obeyed His Father. Philippians 2:8 reminds us, “He humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross.” This kind of authority is rooted in love and sacrifice. It shows us that real leadership is about service, not control.

For us today, this lesson is important. We live in a world filled with many voices. Some of them claim authority, but they do not always lead us closer to God. Friends, celebrities, or media can influence us, but their authority does not always come from truth. The Church, guided by the Holy Spirit, carries on the authority of Jesus. It may not always say what we want to hear, but it points us to what we need for our salvation.

Learning about authority helps us grow in faith. It shows us that God does not leave us alone. He gave us His Son to guide us, and He gave us the Church to continue that mission. When we listen to the authority of Jesus and the Church, we learn how to live as children of God, how to love others, and how to walk in truth. This is the purpose of authority in our faith: to guide us closer to Christ.

Music Suggestions

• A Rightful Place
• Change Our Hearts
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• One Spirit, One Church
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