The Power Christ Gives His Church
In today’s Gospel, we hear how Jesus summoned the Twelve and gave them “power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases” (Luke 9:1). Fr. Gabe reminds us that this same mission continues through the bishops, successors of the Apostles, who carry the fullness of the priesthood and share Christ’s authority in the world today. Through them, priests are ordained, the Sacraments are given, and the Church continues Christ’s saving work. Without bishops, there would be no priests, and without priests, there would be no Eucharist. This is why we must fervently pray for our bishops and priests—they are instruments through whom Christ heals, forgives, and brings order into a world broken by sin.
Sin introduced confusion, darkness, disease, and death into creation. Yet Jesus, the Word made flesh, came to restore creation and share His own divine life with us. He gave His Apostles—and by extension the Church—the authority to drive out evil, heal the sick, forgive sins, and proclaim the Kingdom of God. As Fr. Gabe reflects, this is not just power but a mission rooted in God’s mercy and love. The Sacraments are visible signs of this mercy: Baptism gives us new life, the Eucharist nourishes us, Confirmation strengthens us, Confession restores us, Marriage sanctifies family life, Holy Orders raises up priests, and Anointing of the Sick strengthens and heals us, even forgiving sins when confession is impossible.
Ultimately, the authority Christ gives His Church is ordered to one end: that our names be written in heaven. We are called to say “yes” to Him each day in faith, hope, and above all, love. For “so faith, hope, love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love” (1 Cor 13:13). Let us pray for our bishops and priests, that they remain faithful witnesses, bringing the light of Christ to a world in desperate need of His mercy.
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