Word to the Wise
Tuesday, July 25, 2023 - July 25 - St. James, Apostle
[2 Cor 4:7-15 and Matt 20:20-28]We hold this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing power may be of God and not from us. [2 Corinthians] "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and the great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many." [Matthew]
In my itinerant ministry, I have had occasion to give many retreats for priests and deacons. I have usually organized my conferences, naturally enough since I am a Dominican friar, according to the four pillars of Dominican life: prayer, study, community and ministry. Under ministry, I address in particular the subjects of power and preaching. Today's feast of St. James offers an opportunity for all of us to think about power in the church.
The incident that inspires Jesus' words to all the Twelve was the attempt by the mother of the sons of Zebedee - James and John - to gain preference for her two boys in the "kingdom" that Jesus was proclaiming. One can just imagine the encounter! Mom is respectful but determined. Are the boys embarrassed but hopeful? After quizzing them and seeing the "indignation" of the others (did they have similar ambitions?), Jesus decides to get them all together and give a pep talk about service instead of ruling; power FOR instead of power OVER,
Pope Francis has frequently spoken in very blunt terms about "clericalism" in the life of clergy that can lead a priest or deacon into thinking they are superior beings with power no one else has which, in turn, allows them to "lord it over" the People of God. Titles and vestments are often symptoms of this problem. Such folks - and it's not just a problem for clergy - forget that the treasure of Jesus and his teachings in all cases is carried in earthen vessels, as St. Paul puts it in the first scripture for today.
The apostles were a "mixed bag" of fishermen, a tax collector, a political zealot, a couple of skeptics (Thomas and Nathaniel), etc. - earthen vessels all of them. Peter, James and John were particularly close to Jesus. That should have been enough! No matter what our circumstances, whether in church or secular matters, power can be a challenge. Lord Acton's famous saying is ever true: "Power corrupts." AMEN