power and control

2 corinthians 4:7-15; PS 116 To you, Lord, I will offer a sacrifice of praise; Matthew 5:27-32

"we hold this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing power may be of God and not from us."

These are the opening lines of the first reading for this friday of the tenth week of ordinary time.

St. Paul exhorts us to remember the end game is to help others realize the surpassing power belongs to God and not us.

Yet, how often do we want people to think that we are the ones holding the bag with all the chips; we are the ones with the power and control.

The greatest danger to our salvation is our insistence on having some say in the matter, having some control over the unfolding events of the day.   We often assume power and authority and control where really and truly we have none.

There is a certain sickness that affects the soul that insists on having control.  It is one of the first temptations that enter into the human race; it begins with Adam and Eve who wanted some say i the matter, who wanted some control, who did not want to be patient and wait.

Today, examine your life.  Where do you insist on being in control.  In those moments, the sickness of temptation fills you.

But there is another moment of grace that awaits.  Recall the words of St. Paul, "surpassing power  may be of God and not us"and trust that these earthen vessels, these cracked pots, are never meant to control, manipulate, even dominate but rather simple receive so that the fruit of God can be grown daily in our lives.

There is a riddle I heard recently: What is the difference between God and you.  God never thinks that he is you.

"For we who  live are constantly being given up to death for the sake of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may be manifested on our mortal flesh."

Let Jesus be in control.