The temptation of power

Jesus said to his disciples: But know this, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into. You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” Peter said, “Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for all?” And the Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. But if that servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed in coming,’ and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and get drunk, the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and put him with the unfaithful. And that servant who knew his master's will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating. But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more. (Luke 12: 39-48)

According to the Gospel, those who have the most responsibility must serve others and not use others to serve their own ends. Those who have authority must not give in to the temptation of using power to subjugate others to their own will. Rather, they must use power to do God's will and serve their neighbour well.  When conflict arises, they must obey God's law rather than the laws of men. Above all, Christians must not promote the comfortable ideas of the world. They must courageously proclaim the beauty of their Christian faith, the only one that grants peace to human hearts.