Word to the Wise
Wednesday, November 12, 2025 - Wednesday in the 32th Week in Ordinary Time
[Wis 6:1-11 and Luke 17:11-19]For the lowly may be pardoned out of mercy but the mighty shall be mightily put to the test. For the Lord of all shows no partiality, nor does he fear greatness, because he himself made the great as well as the small, and heprofices for all alike; but for those in power a rigorous scrutiny impends. [Wisdom]
NOVEMBER 12 ST. JOSAPHAT, bishop and martyr
Today's passage from the Book of Wisdom is one that anyone who holds a position of power might read with considerable concern! This could hold for political, religious, social leaders - whatever kind. Lord Acton's famous dictum, written in a letter to an English bishop in the 19th century during the debate about the declaration of papal infallibility, still serves as a great warning: Power tends to corrupt. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. This observation has proven to be true over and over again but seems to be a lesson that has to be relearned over and over again. Even in systems where there are written "guardrails" against someone assuming too much power, the temptation to follow a strong personality who obtains, by whatever means, a position of leadership, can be difficult to resist. The "powerful person" may indeed be a "power behind the throne" and not visible but still have a hold on the one who has the leadership position!
Jesus constantly warned his disciples (and warns us today through the gospels) about power and its corrupting tendency. The incident of James and John seeking preferred positions in Jesus' "kingdom," [Matt. 20:20-21] is clear in its lesson. The Book of Wisdom is clear in its warning. Who is listening? AMEN