HOLD ONTO POWER
“What would
induce anyone at this stage to hold onto power only to be remembered for their
in ability to take action when it was urgent and necessary to do so?” Pope Francis asks this question, of those
threatening the survival of our planet through their activities, in his letter
on Care for our Common Home, (Laudato Si’
#57). This letter has had a big impact and is widely quoted beyond the confines
of the Catholic Church. Although he has used impeccable technical and
scientific arguments to support his words, the pope’s emphasis is on the moral
choice humankind now has to make.
Holding onto
power is not only a preoccupation of our leaders in Africa – though it does
seem to be widespread among us – it is a universal phenomenon reaching into
industry, finance and trade and religion. It seems that once a person has
tasted power they are seduced by it and cannot find the freedom to walk away
from it after they have served their time.
The
“failure” of Jesus’ mission was all to do with the leaders of Israel at that
time clinging on to the power they had and refusing to even consider that their
time was over. Jesus used a powerful allegory about them: a man had a vineyard
and leased it to servants whose task was to develop the property on behalf of
the owner. But they were intent on enjoying themselves and took no notice of
the messengers the owner sent to check on them. In fact they rejected and
mistreated them. Finally the owner sent his son as his final effort to make
them change their mind. But, so intent were the servants on holding on to what
they had, they killed the son in the belief that now the vineyard would be
theirs.
We are left
with questions. Why can people not see beyond the little world they have
created out of self-interest? Can they not see the bigger picture: the common
good of all? Do they really think they will not be held to account for their
actions?
Towards the
end of his letter, Pope Francis points to that broader picture: “We are always
more effective when we generate processes rather than holding on to positions
of power” (#178). We will be remembered if we start something sound even if we
do not live to see the fruit. We can think of (American President) Abraham
Lincoln who could easily have made other choices if his plan was to hold onto
power. But he chose the risky path of confronting slavery and secession and he
paid for it with his life. He “lost” power but he gained a reputation for being
the greatest of all the presidents of the USA.
8 October 2017 Sunday 27 A
Isaiah 5:1-7 Philippians
4:6-9 Matthew 21:33-43
