Authority

Isaiah 9:6

A child is born to us,

a son is given to us,

and authority will be on his shoulders.

Advent’s reading draws us to the child;

in Lent I think of the man

and his shoulders, stretched apart on the cross.

A paradox—authority submitting

to crucifixion. Power becoming

powerlessness, allowing evil to have

its way. If the story stops here

the world’s way wins.

And isn’t that how it seems at times?

We struggle to see Sunday in the world’s events

or in our own particular lives.

Remember, when it seems dark, that

powerlessness overcomes power.

True authority comes with a heart,

not a fist.