It is always interesting to see who is put into a position of power or authority. Sometimes a person gets there because of competency—they know how to do the job and do it well. Others get put there because no one else wants to do it. Some get into high positions because they are sycophants (they know how to grease the right palms). But when God puts a person in a position what can we say?
Peter was probably the least qualified of the apostles, yet Jesus gave him the keys to the kingdom of heaven. The Lord put Eliakim in a position of great power but why did he deserve such an honor? When we see some of these events that cause us to shake our heads, how can we continue to trust? Think about the apostles: “Peter, why him? Who does he think he is?” We know very little about Eliakim other than that he was loyal to God. Yet these were chosen by God to serve in high positions.
The same things happen today. There are some people who don’t understand why Jorge Bergolio sits on the throne of St. Peter. Yet, Francis was chosen through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to be the Holy Father. We trust in the words of Jesus that the “gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against” the Church. We need to recognize that God is in charge of HisChurch and His World.
Yes, sometimes people get into positions for which they are ill-suited but that is a result of the human condition and the fact that we have free will and intellect. But God also works through creation in order to bring about his kingdom in his time. We may not always understand why things are the way they are but we know that everything is in God’s hands.
When we are tempted to despair about the state of things, remember that God has a plan and a purpose and our task is to discover how we fit into that plan. As disciples, God has a place for us and a task for us. Use the times of confusion to ask the Lord for clarity as to what God wants us to do and be.
Please pray for those students and teachers who have returned or will return to the classroom. May this year be one of learning and discovery for all who serve in education.
Have a great week,
Msgr. John