Fake Power

Learning how to wield the real power of self-mastery

09/27/2017

Luke 9:1-6 Jesus summoned the Twelve and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them to proclaim the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick. He said to them, "Take nothing for the journey, neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money, and let no one take a second tunic. Whatever house you enter, stay there and leave from there. And as for those who do not welcome you, when you leave that town, shake the dust from your feet in testimony against them." Then they set out and went from village to village proclaiming the good news and curing diseases everywhere.

             Today, I’d like to talk to you about power. Who has power and who does not; what power is and what power is not. Most people think power consists in weapons, or wealth or in words. But I’d like to suggest to you that real power consists in wisdom and self-mastery.

             Let me give you an example of people exercising power in different ways. Have you been watching all the kneeling during the national anthems at football games, and then President Trump’s tweets protesting the protestors? Let me take a quick opinion poll of our students on this issue. Raise your hand if you think the football players are right to protest. Now raise your hand if you think President Trump is right to tweet. Now, how many of you think all this is a waste of time and would say with Coach Vitale, “That’s NOT football, son!” and get back to the game? I would agree with Coach. But what I want you to see is that words and gestures (even silence) are a way of exercising power, and specifically, power over others.

             There is, however, a greater power than that, namely, wisdom and self-mastery. The best definition I ever heard of a man was this: “a man is he who controls the animal within which he lives.” A man, or woman, who controls his animal instincts has harnessed real power. Why? Well, because we ourselves are the only ones we can ever have power over and control. That’s why all other power is ultimate futile and fake, because we never really control others – that’s what the president and the protestors are trying to do: control others. The only real power you possess is power over yourself; everything else is fake power.

             In the gospel today, Jesus tries to teach his apostles this lesson about real and fake power. We read: “Jesus gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases.” But then Jesus says: “Take nothing for the journey, neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money, and let no one take a second tunic.” In other words, these items are all symbols of worldly power, fake power: a “walking stick” that could be used as a weapon (like a Jedi light saber), a “sack” like a backpack to carry words in books, “food” to make you physically strong, like Ryan Little, “money” or wealth. By emptying themselves of these symbols of worldly power – weapons, wealth and words – Jesus wanted them to discover true power, that is, self-mastery, power over their animal instincts. Jesus knows that’s the only power anyone will ever enjoy, so he teaches his disciples the difference between real power and fake power. Real power is always power over ourselves, when we are our own masters.

             Let me suggest to you three ways we try to teach you real power here at Trinity. First, in wearing uniforms. Do you know why we make you wear uniforms? We don’t want you to focus on expensive clothes or wealth, as a sign of prestige of power or privilege. So, you all look the same and in that way sense your common dignity and value as persons. No one person is worth more than another person. Do you know that priests also have fancy clothes?

           Today, I’m wearing cufflinks, so that must mean I am the really cool clergy, right? No, of course not. Priests should know that “the clothes make the man.” You should know that, too. Master your desires for the latest fashions and fads. Do you know what the word “fad” means? It means “for a day.” Don’t chase things that last for a day, rather, desire that which lasts forever.

             Second, watch your words. I’ve heard some students in our school are cussing, and some even using the “F-bomb.” That is completely unacceptable. You may feel some sense of power when you use vulgar words – like people who tweet feel the power of their words – but you do not exercise real power, that real power called self-mastery. Instead, you become a slave to your baser instincts. I would ask our teachers to help us create a “clean language culture” here at Trinity and call out students who cuss.  Real power is self-mastery, that is, mastering your use of words.

            And thirdly, doing your homework at home. Some of you come from public schools and are not used to doing homework. Welcome to Catholic schools – we love to give you homework! But bear in mind that homework is not only to learn a subject better, but for self-mastery. How so? It’s easy to study in school, when a teacher is breathing down your neck and looking over your shoulder, but it’s hard when you go home and no one is watching over you. That’s when you have to become your own teacher, your own master. Homework not only separates the “A students” from the “B students,” but it also separates those who have real power from those with fake power.

           A man or woman is he or she who controls the animal within which they live. A man and a woman enjoy real power because they have learned self-mastery: they are their own masters and not a slave to anyone.

Praised be Jesus Christ!