Powers of the Earth Vs. Godby Father Rick Bolte
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May 2012 Powers of the Earth vs. God by Father Rick Bolte “Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely.” vision of God coming in power as we know it is that these That adage proves itself over and over again throughout predictions began in the Old Testament and applied as history. Even when good people and institutions gain much to Jesus’ first coming as to his second. One of the access to power, corruption comes in. We’ve seen this in reason the Jews missed Jesus as the long awaited Messiah our Catholic Church particularly with the Inquisition and was that his manifestations of power did not fit the earthly the corrupt popes of the Middle Ages. expressions they expected. This could happen to us as well. The Companion Defined in Webster’s, power is “a possession of control, Jesus’ expression of power is vastly different than the is the newsletter of authority, or influence over others.” We normally think of power the world recognizes. 1 John 4:8 tells us that “God St. Timothy Parish power as the ability to get things done regardless of the is love”. Jesus’ power was the power of love. This is not a P.O. Box 120 obstacles that may get in the way. Power comes from power the world gives must attention to. This is not a Union, KY 41091-0120 859.384.1100 leadership roles where we have the influence, authority, power that can force anyone to do anything. This doesn’t and the right connections to make things happen. Power seem to have any power over evil. We need police and www.saint-timothy.org comes from money where we can bypass those usual armies to do that. In the eyes of the world, Jesus died Contributions are welcome means of raising consensus and donations/taxes and powerless and a fool. It’s been imagined that the devil by the 10th of the month would have danced for joy at Jesus’ crucifixion in the belief before publication. simply pay to make things happen. Power comes from Contact Jeanette Bolin: that Jesus had failed to conquer evil but was instead strength physically or in numbers to impose our will on [email protected] a situation. What all these forms of power have in conquered by it. Yet Jesus, on the cross, conquered evil. common is the “over others” part of the above definition. Jesus was empowered by the love of his Father. Confident They involve one having enough control of a situation to in this love and even by the love of his imperfect Apostles, Publisher he was able to accept the loss of everything else. He died Rev. Rick Bolte, Pastor assert what that person (or persons) believes is “best.” [email protected] without possessions, reputation, or earthly power. He died How they determine “best” varies greatly. Editor without anything the world says we need. The world says Our faith tells us that God is all powerful and all good. Jeanette Bolin we need to have and do certain things to be of value, to [email protected] We expect God to be beyond corruption and an irresistible be important, and to be worthy of consideration. Jesus Graphic Designer force for good in our world. Especially in situations where said that none of those things on the outside ultimately Tom Tally [email protected] we don’t feel powerful, we call upon God to do what we matter. Jesus affirmed that one’s importance comes from believe is good. We try to be patient and understanding simply who we are. This is the basis of why we believe in Contributors: as we ask it to be according to God’s will. We struggle Fr. Rick Bolte respecting the life of all people whether unborn, physical Fr. Jacob Varghese with how some people can do what is evil and continue or mentally disabled, guilty of criminal behavior, sick, or Katie Barton to prosper from it. We wonder why some innocent people, aged. Jesus loved those who tortured and put him to death Charlotte Boemker especially young children, suffer so much. Since God is calling on his Father to forgive them. Valerie Bresiger all good, all knowing, and all powerful we presume that Dottie Due To know that we are loved for who we are is the truth Lesley Duggan these things are our fault: we haven’t prayed enough, we that frees us from slavery to sin. Sin comes from the need Pete Freeman haven’t been good enough, etc. Personally we suspect to prove ourselves; to possess enough, to be well thought Mary Jo Paul God rewards and punishes us for our actions though we of, to be in control enough to be considered important by Dave Profitt fail to see a clear pattern. God’s seeming inconsistency Michelle Mead others. This is the power of God. It may seem weak as did Karen Riegler and apparent lack of action weakens our faith yet we try Jesus on the cross but it is a power for good that we all Adeline Wilson to persist in our faith presuming there is much we just can know and experience. Jesus revealed God’s power not don’t understand. in forcing people to follow the will of the Father but by One thing we do believe is that in the end, God will empowering them to. Earthly power corrupts as it seeks make all things fair. The scriptural descriptions of God to impose its will on others. The wielder of earthly power coming into the world are filled with imagery of great is never perfect and their imperfections always lead to earthly power. There are to be earthquakes, floods, corruption. Jesus recognized the good in every person as famines, and pestilence. The sun, moon, and stars are to we are each made in the image and likeness of God. Jesus’ fall from the sky, turn red, or stop shining. When God power isn’t in making people become good but rather to finally comes in power then we will see God’s power, then call forth the good that is already there. When we there will be justice. This unfortunately doesn’t strengthen experience being loved for who we are, we are empowered our faith a lot since it is all in the future and nothing we to be our best. can encounter now. Another problem with this future Next Month: Does God’s Love Let Us Off the Hook? April Grant: Shared Fellowship by Lesley Duggan, Director of Outreach On the morning of April 14, eleven men from plumbing and removing a vanity, and moving a St. Tim’s convened at the Faith Community desk and four tables into the new area, and the Pharmacy in Florence to begin its expansion rerouting of electric and other wires that were project. It proved to be a full and fulfilling day inside the walls that were removed. Job well done! for everyone involved. The project brought The outcome of their shared time together together these eleven men who share at least is best summed up in a few of their own words. Keeping Our two common interests – helping others and “Looking forward to the next opportunity I have working with their hands. The work they were to work with this great bunch of gentlemen.” Dave Parish Grounds able to accomplish required teamwork and a Lyons. “We had fun, and these guys were the Beautiful sharing of skills and knowledge. Completing the BEST!” Mark Helmer. job certainly proved rewarding for these A special thank you goes out to Outreach volunteers as well as the Pharmacy, but one committee members Barb Fowler, Mary Duffey might say the greatest reward for those who and Pat Cowley for preparing and delivering individually responded to Christ’s call to help lunch to the Pharmacy volunteers. “I can usually others came from their shared time together in get by on a bag of chips and a cheese sandwich if fellowship as a small community of faith. I’m in a rush but we certainly got better fare than The outcome of their shared labor included removing a 72" long wall and replacing it with that Saturday! Well done!” Ken Ralenkotter. a 70" x 80" framed opening with jam and casing Project volunteers: Rick Harvey, Mike on top and sides; cutting in a new 48" x 80" Johnson, Ken Ralenkotter, Glenn Taylor, Brian opening in an existing wall and adding a jam Bold, Mike Boczek, Brad Paul, William Baker, Dick and casing on top and sides; disconnecting the Lambers, Dave Lyons and Mark Helmer. Our parish grounds are beautiful in the summer due to the efforts May Grant of the families and individuals by Lesley Duggan, Director of Outreach who volunteer to plant annuals, The Diocesan Catholic Children’s Home is a is the Guardian Angel School, a special water, fertilize and deadhead multi-service agency serving children ages 6-14 education school exclusively designed to meet throughout the season. Their with moderate to severe emotional and/or the education needs of resident children. The work provides a reminder of Guardian Angel school recently moved out of God’s beauty to everyone who behavioral difficulties. It is the only co-ed enters the church. Volunteers are residential treatment facility in Northern an 85 year old building on campus to a newly needed to be part of the summer Kentucky and the only Northern Kentucky constructed Center/Multi-purpose building. gardening crew. If interested in agency that serves children younger than the This DCHH program has been selected as our helping this season, please contact age of 10.