The People Who Can Most Be Trusted With Power

Some of you may know that I am a big fan of superhero movies. I can’t always say what it is, but I am often drawn to these characters with amazing powers. Imagine having the ability to fly. Or possessing incredible strength. Or being able to breathe underwater and talk to sea creatures. 

I often think about the Superman series and how Superman is torn because he knows that if he uses his powers in the world, many will see him as a god-like figure. And then there’s always the temptation that he will like that role and want more and more power.

In the first reading today from Acts 14, Paul and Barnabas are in Lystra (after being chased out of Iconium) and heal a man who had not been able to walk since birth. The people are amazed. The scripture tells us that the local people said, “The gods have come down to us in human form…[and they] called Barnabas ‘Zeus’ and Paul ‘Hermes’ [and] the people brought oxen and garlands [because they] intended to offer sacrifice.”

Paul and Barnabas think to themselves, “Whoa, whoa…what are you doing?! We’re not gods!”  and say to the people, “We are of the same nature as you, human beings…” They go on to tell the people that the one who deserves all the credit is God. Not them. 

They make it clear: They are not gods. They are above anyone else. They are just people.

Lesson #1 for today: Don’t aspire to be a king or a god in the eyes of other people.

And yet so often in the world around us these days, we witness the opposite. Many celebrities, business leaders, sports stars and especially some political leaders WANT us to see them as royalty or gods. As people who are more than human. As somebody special that we must bow down before and do their bidding.

But our Christian tradition – at least in the early church – tried very hard to remind people that it was God alone who deserved the praise and recognition. The disciples were just human beings who opened themselves to the divine and let that power move through them. Furthermore, whatever special “gifts” (money or talent) that they possessed were to be used for the benefit of the community.

Many of you know Bill Welch from church. He is one of the most soulful and spiritual musicians that I know. He writes incredibly moving songs that make me just want to be a better person! And Bill is a humble guy. One thing I love about Bill is that after he performs and the crowd claps (and the crowd always claps!), Bill points upward and sincerely shows the crowd, “This was all God. I’m just the vehicle.” I also know that Bill’s guesture is not performative. He REALLY means it, and this is what makes it so meaningful.

Richard Rohr, OFM often says, “The people who can be most trusted with power are the ones who don’t need it…” And what I think we see in the first reading is Paul and Barnabas not needing power in order to feel good about themselves. They know who they are and they know whose they are.  They are wary of being made “kings” or being seen as gods or special people who deserve special treatment. They just want to make sure that their lives and work point back to the One who animates everything that they do.

In the gospel today from John 14, Jesus is speaking in somewhat coded language about “whoever loves me will be loved by my Father,” and that God will be revealed to those people. The disciples are confused and ask why God just doesn’t reveal God-self to the world? Jesus says that “whoever loves me will keep my word and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our dwelling with them.”

On the surface, this (and a lot of John’s gospel) can actually sound like a language of exclusivity – that only those with special insider knowledge or a special position in life will understand or get into the Jesus club. And, sadly, there are a lot of Christians who operate that way.

But the reality is that the “way of Jesus” can be followed by a lot of people. In fact, some of its best followers do not identify as Christian (or follow another spiritual path) and can see the path better than many Christians!

This is because this path has to do with humility, generosity, simplicity and meekness – and these are available to anyone – not just Christians.

Jesus was clear in Mt 11:25 when he said, “I give thanks, God, because you’ve concealed your ways from sophisticated and learned people, but have revealed it to ordinary people.” Jesus understood that gaining power and riches had little to do with God’s kin-dom. In fact, just the opposite. Seeking and amassing worldly wealth and power brings you further and further away from knowing God’s kin-dom.

Today’s readings are a warning to us about the spiritual danger in being seduced by the powers of this world. We, too, face the same temptations as Jesus (which we try to wrestle with every Lent) and must do the difficult spiritual work of facing these temptations in a world that holds up power, wealth and status as the ultimate goal of life.

But today’s readings are also a warning against making kings and gods of people in this world – especially when they ask for it or want it from us. No political leader or corporation or religious authority is the ultimate authority, and we must not bow down before them. Period.

May we continue to strive to follow the path of Jesus which invites us to greater and greater generosity, humility and simplicity – offering our gifts in the service of the common good – and in a way that points back to the One who animates us all.