The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today exhort us to use Jesus' example to examine the fruit of the authorities who claim to be worthy guides.
The reading from the Letter of Jude presents Exhortations and a Doxology.
* [22] Have mercy: some manuscripts read “convince,” “confute,” or “reprove.” Others have “even though you waver” or “doubt” instead of who waver.
* [23] With fear: some manuscripts connect the phrase “with fear” with the imperative “save” or with the participle “snatching.” Other manuscripts omit the phrase “on others have mercy,” so that only two groups are envisioned. Rescue of those led astray and caution in the endeavor are both enjoined. Outer garment stained by the flesh: the imagery may come from Zec 3:3–5, just as that of snatching…out of the fire comes from Zec 3:2; the very garments of the godless are to be abhorred because of their contagion.
* [24–25] With this liturgical statement about the power of God to keep the faithful from stumbling, and praise to him through Jesus Christ, the letter reaches its conclusion by returning to the themes with which it began (Jude 1–2). (Jude, THE LETTER OF JUDE | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 63 expresses the intimate relationship between God and the worshiper.
* [Psalm 63] A Psalm expressing the intimate relationship between God and the worshiper. Separated from God (Ps 63:2), the psalmist longs for the divine life given in the Temple (Ps 63:3–6), which is based on a close relationship with God (Ps 63:7–9). May all my enemies be destroyed and God’s true worshipers continue in giving praise (Ps 63:10–11)! (Psalms, PSALM 63 | USCCB, n.d.)
In the Gospel of Mark, the Authority of Jesus is questioned by religious leaders.
* [11:27–33] The mounting hostility toward Jesus came from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders (Mk 11:27); the Herodians and the Pharisees (Mk 12:13); and the Sadducees (Mk 12:18). By their rejection of God’s messengers, John the Baptist and Jesus, they incurred the divine judgment implied in Mk 11:27–33 and confirmed in the parable of the vineyard tenants (Mk 12:1–12). (Mark, CHAPTER 11 | USCCB, n.d.)
Rev. Elvin Cardoso, SJ, comments that there are moments when we avoid difficult truths because they threaten our comfort, reputation, or security. Like the religious leaders in the Gospel, we can become more concerned about protecting our position than listening to God’s voice. Sometimes we remain silent when courage is needed. Sometimes we ask questions not because we sincerely desire wisdom, but because we want to defend ourselves or preserve control.
The tragedy of the religious leaders was not that they questioned Jesus. In fact, their questions were understandable. Jesus had been teaching boldly, healing the sick, and challenging accepted practices. Any sincere leader would naturally seek understanding. The real problem was their motivation. Their hearts were closed. They were not searching for truth with humility and openness; they were trying to protect their authority and silence a perceived threat.
The Gospel invites us today to examine our hearts. Do I seek truth with humility, or do I resist it when it unsettles me? Do I ask questions in faith and love, or out of fear and defensiveness? (Cardoso, 2026)
Don Schwager quotes “Fearing the truth,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"Fearing a stoning, but fearing more an admission of the truth, they answered the truth with a lie, reminiscent of the Scripture: 'injustice has lied within herself' (Psalm 27:12). For they said, 'We know not.' And because they had shut themselves up against him, by asserting that they did not know what they knew, the Lord did not open up to them because they did not knock. For it has been said, 'Knock and it will be opened to you' (Matthew 7:7; Luke 11:9). But they not only had not knocked that it might be opened, but by their denial they barricaded the door itself against themselves. And the Lord said to them, 'Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things' (Matthew 21:27; Mark 11:33; Luke 20:7). (excerpt from TRACTATE ON JOHN 2.9.4) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Jude 17, 20-25 comments that maybe, like those early Christians, we are apprehensive about unrest in the world around us. We love the Lord and want to follow him but might fear losing our way amid contradictory voices or teachers.
Don’t let these concerns overshadow your vision of who God is! Remember what Jude proclaims: God is the One who can keep you from stumbling. No matter what obstacles or pitfalls you face, he can bring you into his presence because he has all power and authority. He is greater than anything that can come against us. We have the grace of being children of God, beloved and held by the One who dwells in majesty and glory! We are in God’s hands, and he will not let us go.
“Lord, my God and Savior, to you be all glory and praise!” (Meditation on Jude 17, 20-25, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments that the passage from the Letter of Jude has no chapter designation. It begins with verse 17 because the book is only one chapter. The letter of Jude examines the attitude we have towards those who have wavered and Jude warns us to take care not to soil ourselves but to give witness based on the love and mercy of Christ. The final doxology praises God forever. The cleverness of Jesus is presented in the Gospel of Mark as He responds to trick questions about the origin of His authority. If He responds that His authority is Human then His critics will claim it is not from God. If Jesus' authority is Divine He may be accused of blasphemy, and if Divine, why are religious leaders reluctant to follow Him? Cleverness was important in Jesus' time. A clever person was able to show knowledge and wisdom in difficult and dangerous situations. Friar Jude inquires about how clever we are in strategies to spend time with family and love others?
Father Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Spiritual teacher Christine Valters Paintner who offers this prayer to the Spirit of creation and new life.
Spirit of Creation,
in the beginning you blew over the waters,
coaxing the earth up from the depths of the sea,
and inviting all creatures to rise up on their own wings.Spirit of Renewing Life,
you breathed into me in my very first moment,
invigorate me with your gift of energy and newness.
Continue to breathe expansively in me,
inviting me to a vision for what is possible in my life.Spirit of Restlessness,
stir me from my longing for comfort that so often stifles me,
help me to release from the places that keep me stuck,
and guide me in the direction you would have me go.Spirit of the Great Winds,
help me to hear your voice in the midst of the whirlwind of my life.
Grant me the trust to hold on while I am being buffeted by life’s storms.Blessings of wind be upon me.
May my sails billow wide,
May I breathe deeply the gift of inspiration,
May I be carried to the place of my resurrection,
May I be fully free. (Rohr, n.d.)
We seek the Spirit to guide our examination of authority as we work to live with the love, mercy and cleverness of Jesus in our environment.
References
Cardoso, E. (2026, May 30). Daily Reflection May 30, 2026 | Creighton Online Ministries. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved May 30, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-may-30-2026
Jude, THE LETTER OF JUDE | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 30, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/jude/1?
Mark, CHAPTER 11 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved May 30, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/11?27
Meditation on Jude 17, 20-25. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved May 30, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/05/30/1580984/
Psalms, PSALM 63 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 30, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/63?
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Spirit of Aliveness: Weekly Summary. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved May 30, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/spirit-of-aliveness-weekly-summary/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Who Gave You This Authority? Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 30, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/
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