[Jesus] summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them, "Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the gospel will save it. What profit is there for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? What could one give in exchange for his life?"

In the movie "Sherlock Holmes," Lord Blackwood, a convicted murderer, seems to be some kind of a god with supernatural powers, especially since it appeared that he rose from the dead. Although he was hanged, even pronounced dead by Dr. Watson, he is very much alive, and working havoc even within leaders of England. Typical of the evil in the world, Lord Blackwood wants to bring about a new order. He wants to re-make the world, as he says, and create a future of prosperity. He will do it by assuming power in England, and eventually in the newly formed United States. Interestingly enough, even Lord Blackwood is being controlled by another who is also desirous of the power of control, a mysterious "professor" that Holmes is aware of, but is not the immediate problem. Whenever the desire for power is a controlling factor, it eventually becomes clear that the person who wants the power is playing into the hands of evil, and will be guided by his or her own selfishness.             

When Jesus spoke about self, it was usually in the negative. He knew all about human nature and our desire to satisfy ourselves. He knew that when people set out to gain power, even for a good cause, the chances were that evil would come into play. Too many people want to gain "the whole world" no matter what it does to their lives with God. Speaking with true spiritual logic then, Jesus simply says that we have to deny our selves, "lose" our lives, thus gaining eternal life after death.

We have many examples of what happens when people desire power. It is exactly what Jesus warns. People will sacrifice anything, even their lives with God, to have such power. Lord Blackwood in the movie "Sherlock Holmes" is one example. It may have been for a good reason that Blackwood wanted the power he sought, but power almost always breeds evil, because it is nothing more than satisfying self.

Jesus' directive may be one of the most difficult of all Christian doctrines because of our dedication to self. We have been taught from early on to satisfy ourselves--we must have food, and sleep, and fun in order to survive. But, the Christian view of life demands some elements of denial as we grow older, leading ourselves away from our own desires and more into an understanding of the needs of others.

Unbridled selfishness will ruin our lives. Jesus knew it, and therefore in his presentation of the perfect Kingdom, he wanted people in the Kingdom who understood that selfish power is evil power.

THOUGHT
 
PRAYER

Good and gracious God, we often want power over others in some way. Your Son taught us that such a desire is based on our need to satisfy ourselves. Give us the grace to deny ourselves so that we can truly live happily with you here and hereafter. Be with us, we pray. 

Questions, comments? Let me know. Email Fr. Mike

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