The Authority of the Children of God

Today’s readings draw our attention to a surprising and often misunderstood theme: authority—not the authority of power, control, or status, but the authority that flows from belonging to God. In the first reading, Balaam, a foreign prophet, is overtaken by the Spirit of God. With eyes “unveiled,” he sees what others cannot: the beauty, dignity, and future of God’s people. Israel, encamped tribe by tribe, appears not as a weak or wandering people but as a blessed community— “like gardens beside a stream,” rooted, fruitful, and protected by God. Their authority does not come from military strength or political dominance; it comes from God’s presence among them. Even more striking is Balaam’s vision of what is yet to come: “A star shall advance from Jacob.” This is a promise of a king whose authority will be exalted, an Advent prophecy that points toward Christ. In the Gospel, authority becomes the central question. The chief priests and elders demand to know by what authority Jesus teaches and acts. Their question reveals a deeper issue: they recognize authority only when it fits their established structures. Jesus, however, refuses to play their game. Instead, He points them back to John the Baptist, whose authority came not from human appointment but from obedience to God’s call. Their inability to answer exposes their fear of truth, fear of conversion, and fear of losing control. Here lies the contrast between worldly authority and divine authority. Worldly authority seeks validation, recognition, and power over others. Divine authority flows quietly from intimacy with God. Jesus does not need to explain Himself; His authority is evident in His words, His compassion, and His fidelity to the Father’s will. For us, as children of God, this is a profound Advent reminder. Our authority as Christians does not come from titles, positions, or social influence. It comes from our identity. Through baptism, we share in Christ’s life. We are heirs of the promise Balaam foresaw. When we live rooted in prayer, truth, and love, we exercise a real spiritual authority—the authority to forgive, to reconcile, to stand for justice, and to witness to hope in a broken world. Advent calls us to examine the source of our authority. Do we rely on human approval, or do we speak and act from a deep relationship with God? Like Israel in the desert, our lives can become “goodly tents,” places where God dwells. Like Christ in the temple, we are called to live with quiet confidence, trusting that when we belong to God, His authority rests upon us. As we await the coming of the Star from Jacob, may our eyes be unveiled to see who we truly are not powerless believers, but children of God clothed in divine authority, called to prepare the way of the Lord by the way we live.