The Gospel passage we heard at Mass on Sunday, July 11, begins, “Jesus summoned the twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits.” My message today deals with our perception of authority and the truth that should encompass our ideas regarding the exercise of Godly authority.
A friend of mine went to a small Catholic college in New England on a baseball scholarship. His coach was the kind of friendly, no-nonsense journeyman they don’t seem to make anymore. At the first practice of the year, he told all the players to take a knee. Then in a thick Massachusetts accent, he said to them, “Now fellas, this is important, so listen up. If you’re gonna be on this team, it doesn’t matter what you believe. But we go to Mass on Sundays.”