「人單獨不好。」(創2:18)因此,要完成龐大的工程,必需要把一盤散沙般的群眾,團結起來。要組織一群人,自然會產生一些領導者 。為了共同的目的,群眾願意放棄部份的自由,服從領導者的策劃和指揮。領導者變相享有與眾不同的自由和利益(撒上8:11-17),是相當吸引,並且它會反過來,腐蝕領導者的心。所謂「權力令人腐化,絕對的權力令人絕對腐化」,是不無道理的!
主耶穌基督在今天的福音中指出,領導者的權力,是為了服務,為了「按時配給食糧」給其他的家僕(路12:42)!對,我們每個人都是一個家僕,一個管家,管理天主託付給我們的身心、人際關係、生活處境等等。既有責任發展天主賜予的「塔冷通」,又有責任在不同的生活崗位上,拓展天國。可以見得,權力是伴隨著責任的;權力越大,責任越大(12:48)!在天主的全盤計劃之中,祂有系統地安排了各人的崗位;而每個領導人都有他的主子,環環相扣,形成一個秩序井然的架構。
倘若在這架構裡,你覺得「懷才不遇」,你可能是對的!可能有人濫用了制度,埋沒了你的才幹。也有可能你自視過高,缺乏謙遜!在天主的眼中,前者對你無害,後者對你無益!倘若你覺得「時不我予」,你投訴沒有足夠的資源和時間,運用你的權力,或者收集更多的權力,去完成任務。對不起!天主可能會對你說:要知足,「有我的恩寵為你夠了!」(格後12:9)
主啊!請不要讓我們迷失在權力鬥爭之中,忘記了建設祢的天國。亞孟。
Advice to Leaders (Luke 12:39-48)
"It is not good for the man to be alone." (Genesis 2:18) Thus, in order to accomplish a mega project, we need to put together the effort of a lot of people. To organize a group of people, we need leaders. In order to accomplish a common cause, the crowd is willing to abandon some of their freedom to obey the strategy and commands of leaders. Leaders enjoy extraordinary freedom and benefits (1 Samuel 8:11-17) which are very attractive and in turn corrupt the souls of the leaders. There is some truth in the aphorism: "Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely"!
In the gospel passage today, Jesus Christ points out that the power of leaders is for service, for "putting in charge of his servants to distribute food allowance at the proper time" (Luke 12:42)! Right, every one of us is a servant, a steward in charge of our body and mind, interpersonal relationships and living situations etc. Not only are we responsible for the development of the talents given us by God, but we also have the responsibility to extend the Kingdom of Heaven in our particular station in life. Thus power comes with responsibility, the greater the power, the greater the responsibility (12:48)! Within God's overall plan, He systematically allocates us into different positions. Every leader has his own boss, linking together and weaving into an orderly structure.
If within this organization, you feel unappreciated. You are probably right! Perhaps somebody abuses the system and buries your talents. Or perhaps you overestimate yourself and lack humility! In God's eye, the former is harmless to you, the latter does you no good! If you feel that you have missed the tide, or you complain that you don't have sufficient resources and time to exercise your power, or gather more power to accomplish your mission, I'm sorry, God probably would tell you: Be content. "My grace is sufficient for you!" (2 Corinthians 12:9)
Dear Lord! Let us not get lost in power struggle and forget building Your Kingdom of Heaven. Amen.
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