Word to the Wise
Wednesday, July 25, 2007 - St. James the Greater, apostle
[2 Corinthians 4:7-15 and Matthew 20:20-28]We hold this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing power may be of God and not from us.
Both the scriptures for this feast provide us with aspects of apostleship and humanity! Paul points out that apostles are vessels of clay, and the incident in the gospel scripture is a good example. James and John, the sons of Zebedee, get their mother to ask Jesus to give them some form of preferment "in your Kingdom." Jesus' response shows that these two apostles have a completely erroneous notion of what his "kingdom" is about. It is not about power but about service. St. Paul lists some of the various trials that come from undertaking a life of service. Love of power is one of the most dangerous occupational hazards of the ministerial profession. Time and time again scandals in church circles erupt where "apostles" abuse their position either for personal or economic reasons. The two most notorious areas in which this gets expressed are sexual abuse and financial improprieties but there are other ways in which ministers can abuse their power. Some ministers "micro-manage" their ministries in such a way as to maintain complete control of whatever takes place in the name of Jesus! And, mind you, this isn't just a failing of ordained personnel. Ask any pastor about certain parish societies or music ministries. Despite Jesus' clear admonition of James and John, the history of the church (Catholic or Protestant) is replete with examples of power abuse. To remedy this requires careful self and collective examinations of conscience about the "way things are done" to make sure that the gospel is being lived and power-abuse is avoided. The apostles were vessels of clay and we, in turn, can claim to be no better or worse. AMEN
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