THE MOTHER WHO LOBBIED FOR POWER

THE MOTHER WHO LOBBIED FOR POWER

After the elections, a passing thought struck me as I ruminated on what might be the feelings of those who lost in their aspirations to be elected or re-elected. 

The thought struck me that we are now building on a civilization based on the obsessive pursuit of political power. What is it in politics which drives even the seemingly apolitical or non-political types, to join in the fray.

There are acquaintances in the religious community, active in the lay ministry of preaching, teaching, or evangelizing who aspired to be in politics, as well.

They won, they lost, they run again, invoking the sovereign and moral  authority  of God as their guide.

As my classmate used to say when we were Poli- Sci majors, Politics is the art of intrigue, to attain a superior position of power.  This seems to be a good way of summing it up. 

But Christ the Lord of the Christians has different way of looking at it. At one time an ambitious and highly politicized mother wanted his sons to sit in the position of power, and lobbied for her children.

Here is the account and maybe this is worth reflecting upon particularly those who want to be leaders of men:

Matthew 20”21-28

20Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him.

21“What is it you want?” he asked.

She said, “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.”

22“You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said to them. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?”

“We can,” they answered.

23Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father.”

24When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers. 25Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— 28just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Now think about it.