During our lenten journeys, as we focus on the One Who gave up all His power, His life and love to us, I thought this was a powerful quote from Father Henri Nowuen. Hat tip to David Hymes, missionary in the Philippines;
“One of the greatest ironies of the history of Christianity is that its leaders constantly gave in to the temptation of power – political power, military power, economic power, or moral and spiritual power – even though they continued to speak in the name of Jesus, who did not cling to his power but emptied himself and became as we are We keep hearing from others, as well as saying to ourselves, that having power – provided it is used in the service of God – is a good thing With this rationalization, crusades took place, inquisitions were organized, Indians were enslaved, positions of great influence were desired, episcopal palaces, splendid cathedrals, and opulent seminaries were built, and much moral manipulation of conscience was engaged in.”
[Henri J. M. Nouwen, In the Name of Jesus: Reflections on Christian Leadership (New York: The Crossroad Publishing, 1989), 58-59]
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