Power is service

An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest.  Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and had him stand beside him. Then he said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest.” “Master,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we tried to stop him, because he is not one of us.” “Do not stop him,” Jesus said, “for whoever is not against you is for you. (Luke 9: 46-50)

Power is never an end in itself but must be used to serve others, starting with the most humble and defenseless among us. This is why inside the Church pastors are placed at the service of souls. Following this line of reasoning, pastors are called to express not so much their own ideas as to what the Church, the guardian of God’s Word, has always taught. Let us pray to God the Father that he will never make the Church lack numerous and holy vocations to the priesthood.