Spiritual Life Committee Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity Monthly Reflection: February, 2005 The Seductive Influence of Power, Money and Sex Rev. David Hamm, S.T. At the pre-General Chapter meeting of the Members and Alternates, the phrase "power, money and sex" was used frequently in the discussions of living the vowed life. This apt phrase made its way into the Identity statement of the 12th General Cenacle on which we have been reflecting these past two years. I want to offer a few thoughts for your ongoing consideration as you continue to reflect on commitment to the vowed life. "Our own passionate desire to be faithful to the vowed life is challenged by: the seductive influence of power, money and sex." Power, money and sex: each touch on deep human needs. Each present dangers to our lives and the lives of others. Because of the intense energy associated with power, money and sex, we might be tempted into ways of thinking and acting that avoid addressing the God given needs that each of us have. We could deal with power by striving to be powerless or thinking we have no power. But then, we would not able to fulfill the roles of leadership that are part of our vocation. We could deal with money by striving to be moneyless or thinking that money is evil. But then, you would not be able to read this on your computer or print it out, or we would not have the stamp to send it to you. We could deal with sex by striving to be sexless or thinking that we supposed to be asexual. But then, we would have to be dead. Power The energy of power ultimately calls us to service. Jesus tells us "anyone who wants to become great among you must be your servant, and anyone who wants to be first among you must be your slave, just as the Son of man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Matthew 20:26-28 Each person is made in the image and likeness of God. If that is not power, I do not know what is. Each of us "is somebody." If we are told that we are nothing, that we are nobody, we might think that this is true. We would be wrong. We could act then as if we are nobody and not use and develop the gift that we are. We could act as if "we were somebody" and "others were nobody." We are called to obedience. First of all, obedience to God who made us. I use the word "obey" with its root meaning "to hear" from the Latin "audire." This is the source of our power listening to the Lord, listening with our ears, with our heart, with our entire being. We listen, we hear, so that we can take steps to become all that God has made us to be. Our obedience to our religious superior is comparable. We listen and obey, striving to be the person God has made us to be. The model of obedience is Jesus. "And going on a little further he fell on his face and prayed. 'My Father,' he said, 'if it is possible, let this cup pass me by. Nevertheless, let it be as you, not I, would have it.'" Matthew 26:39. Or "Jesus cried out in a loud voice saying, 'Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.'" Luke 23:46 The energy of power calls us to service. It calls us to use the talents and abilities that God has given us for the good of others. The seduction of power encourages us to keep our ears closed. The seduction of power entices us to think that we have already served enough. The seduction of power lures us into not using or misusing our talents and abilities. Money The energy of money ultimately calls us to dependence on God. Jesus tells us "do not worry about your life and what you will eat, nor about your body and what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be." Luke 12:22-23,34 Each of us wants security in our life. This desire is a God-given gift. We like the regularity of the days and the seasons. We like to know where our next meal is coming from. We like to trust people and presume that they are trustworthy. Life is not always predictable. We have only to think about the "threat of terrorism" or the recent tsunami. We can think of the ailments that have become part of our life: heart disease, cancer, arthritis, diabetes. We did not ask for any of these things. Nevertheless, they are part of our life. We are called to poverty. This is a bit tricky especially for those of us who live in the United States. We might strive to "live simply." But "simple" in the USA means having a reliable car, eating properly, getting regular exercise and sufficient rest. It means having health insurance, whatever books we feel we need, nowadays a computer etc., a TV, cell phone and some cash for necessary items. By standards in the USA, this is not extravagant. (It is not poor either!) The model of poverty is Jesus. "'How many loaves do you have? Go and see." And when they had found out they said, "Five loaves and two fish." and they all ate and were satisfied. And they picked up twelve wicker baskets full of fragments and what was left of the fish." Mark 6:38,43. The energy of money calls us to dependence on God. It calls us to share freely what we have and to be known for our hospitality. The seduction of money encourages us to keep it for ourselves. The seduction of money entices us to think we deserve a little more. The seduction of money lures us into over concern for our own security and well-being. Truly, "In God we trust" should be our way of life. Sex The energy of sex ultimately calls us to love. "Jesus said to Peter the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time, "Do you love me?" and he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." (Jesus) said to him, "Feed my sheep." John 21:17 Each person is a sexual being. Thanks be to God. With our sexuality comes our longing for unity with another, our impulse to be creative, and our desire to bring new life into the world. We can "look for love in all the wrong places." We can be impulsive to our own detriment and that of others. We can be instruments of transformation to help renew the face of the earth. We are call to chastity. This is not to be asexual or to deny our sexuality. Rather, we are called to be a man. A man is a person of integrity truthful, honest. His word is his bond. A man takes responsibility for all his choices and actions successes and failures. A man strives for wholeness and health of mind, body and spirit. A man endeavors to be a person of strength to care for and watch over those in need. The model of chastity is Jesus. "I have told you this so that my joy might be in you and your joy might be complete. This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends. You are my friends if you do what I command youThis I command you: love one another. . John 15:11-14,17 The energy of sex calls us to love. It calls us to seek unity with God in vigilant prayer. It calls us to sacrifice of ourselves to be with and for others. It calls us to use our talents and abilities to do for others. It urges us to transform ourselves and by so doing be instruments of the Spirit transforming the world. The seduction of sex encourages us to use and misuse people. The seduction of sex entices us to think that love is about pleasure. The seduction of sex lures us into focusing our love on ourselves. Love never fails. The fruit of love is Joy! Reflection Questions: 1. How am I using my God-given power? Is it for service? 2. In what ways does my use of money lead me to dependence on God? 3. Do I consider myself more loving, more joyful, more prayerful, more self-sacrificing than I was five years ago? Why yes? Why no?