Authority and Power

One day, as Jesus was teaching the people in the temple and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes with the elders came up and said to him, “Tell us by what authority you do these things, or who it is that gave you this authority.” He answered them, “I also will ask you a question. Now tell me, was the baptism of John from heaven or from man?” And they discussed it with one another, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘From man,’ all the people will stone us to death, for they are convinced that John was a prophet.” So they answered that they did not know where it came from. And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.” Luke 20:1-8

Authority and Power

We each believe we should lead
and yet none of us would have breath
if not a woman carried us and was
broken open for love.

We act as if our power is righteous
turning away from the weak and humble
blaming victims and hiding our shame
God's heart is broken open.

We claim authority of scripture or role
divine right of kings, white privilege remains
lauding our perfect teeth and thinness
over the homeless and the hungry.

The symptoms of our greed
walk broken on the streets
the outcome of our authority writhe in pain
and yet we think we are loved.

Love is the ultimate author
God the kind and loving Creator
offered us a beneficent garden
we ordered it burned to cinders.