Power is to Serve!

 

32nd week Wednesday in Ordinary Time

Year One

Wis 6:1-11

Meditation

Power is to Serve!

Kings, rulers and those in any authority need to listen to God, listen to themselves and listen to others and do the needful. Any authority is difficult, and so it becomes a service; therefore, we need to pray for those in authority. The mighty and powerful will be judged mightily by the Lord. The lowly will be judged in mercy and pardoned. The more power one wields, the more one is liable for judgment. It could happen that great rulers’ achievements could cause harm with or without intention, and also serve.

Kings and rulers should seek wisdom for good rule. It is the spirit of God who gives us inspiration, discernment and wisdom to do good and avoid evil and wrong. One should submit to God in all that one does and seek earnestly to do the will of God. When the rulers are clear with good intentions rather than evil, God will guide their ways on the right path.

Are we aware that the rulers are exercising service rather than power?

Year Two

Titus 3:1-7

We are Saved by the Grace of God!

There is earnestness in every person to follow the natural law and Divine law, which in a way makes the list of laws for day-to-day human rules for life. One is aware of what to do and what not to do. Good action will have good merits, and evil action will necessarily bring evil to life. Choosing and making a choice between good and bad is a process, but there will be human failure.

Human efforts are commendable to live an upright, moral and holy life. The weight of sin is such that this effort alone will not suffice to attain perfection in life. The grace of God is necessary for perfection in life. The grace is made available by Jesus, through his passion, death and resurrection. We are saved not only by our acts of merit but by the gratuitous grace of God.

Do you know the grace of God is a gift?

Gople Lk 17:11-19

Be Grateful!

The story of the ten lepers reminds us that it is easy to seek God in times of need and just as easy to forget Him once our prayers are answered. The nine lepers represent our tendency to move on quickly, to take grace for granted. The one who returns shows us the heart of a true disciple, one who recognises that every blessing is a gift and that thanksgiving is the natural response of faith.

Gratitude transforms healing into a relationship. The Samaritan doesn’t just receive a gift; he meets the Giver. His return to Jesus symbolises the journey of faith, coming back, acknowledging the source of all goodness, and deepening one’s communion with God.

Are we grateful to those who give a helping hand?

Fr Putti Anthaiah, sdb