The Jews answered: "We have a law and according to that law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God." Now when Pilate heard this statement. he became even more afraid, and went back into the praetorium and said to Jesus, "Where are you from?" Jesus did not answer him. So Pilate said to him, "Do you not speak to me? Do you not know that I have power to release you and I have power to crucify you? Jesus answered him, "You would have no power over me if it had not been given to you from above. For this reason the one who handed me over to you has the greater sin. Consequently, Pilate tried to release him, but the Jews cried out, "If you release him, you are not a friend of Caesar. Everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar." When Pilate heard these words he brought Jesus out and seated him on the judge's bench in the place called Stone Pavement, in Hebrew, Gabbatha.

Gospelthink: Pilate questioned me about my kingship thinking he had power over me. Too often I look for power to make me feel better.

In the far future, the Emperor Shaddam controlled the planet Arrakis, the source of the necessary "spice" for the technology they had. But he was not satisfied that all of the different Houses in his realm were completely under his control. In order to have full power, he decided to set up an enmity leading to a battle between House Atreides and House Harkonnen. Both leaders of the two Houses could see advantages in having Arrakis, and so they set out against one another. Shaddam sided with House Harkonnen because he felt Leto of House Atreides was the real threat. Because of a betrayal by one of Atreides's men, Harkonnen won the fight. But during the fight, Leto's son Paul and concubine Jessica escaped and began an allegiance with the Fremen, the native people of the planet Arrakis.

Immediately before Jesus was handed over to be led to crucifixion, the interchange of ideas between him and Pilate and the Jewish leaders dealt with power and control. Both Pilate and the Jewish leaders wanted control of the situation by showing their power. Pilate even stated to Jesus that he had the power. Power and the desire for it unfortunately plays more of a role in life that we realize.  And when it does, there is often bloodshed.

Witness the the warring parties in the movie "Dune." Shaddam the emperor was worried about the power the House Atreides possessed. And so he used a ruse involving more power, setting up the House Harkonnen to obliterate House Atreides so that Shaddam could have full control. The desire for power caused the deaths of many people.

The desire for power and control is a common theme in the movies that we see and enjoy. Anyone who really studies that desire immediately understands what it causes and especially the harm that it does to individuals, both those who are so anxious for control as well as those controlled. Human nature being what it is, a person desirous of control will do anything to accomplish the goal, often causing immense harm to others.

One of the principal problems with viewing so many examples of the desire for control and power which we experience on the movie and TV screens is our ability to learn. We too easily learn how power and control feels in our lives. And we may learn that if we want it, we will look for the opportunity to make it happen. It will not happen in a spectacular overpowering way that emperor Shaddam wanted in the movie "Dune", but it may happen in a small way in our insignificant (in the eyes of the whole world) lives.  

And we could harm both ourselves and others.

PRAYER

Good and gracious God, the desire for power and control is so common in the everyday lives of people. We easily see and possibly learn from those who seek power and control. Give us the grace to truly understand the temptation to have power and control of others. Be with us, we pray. 

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GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT

Theme: Perhaps the strongest evil in the world is the desire for power and control.
 
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
(session: approximately 72 minutes)
1. What scene from this session of movie is most striking and why?
2. In the world today, who has the most power and why?
3. In your opinion, do the countries of the world have true respect for the lives of their citizens? Yes or no and why?
4. Do you think that we learn "desire for personal power" from the ways of the world? Yes or no and why?
5. Do you think that we learn "revenge" from the ways of the world? Yes or no and why?
6. How is it a true statement that "Power corrupts"?

©2007 Capuchin Province of Mid-America
Fr. Mike Scully is a member of the Capuchin Province of Mid-America