Gifts that may Enslave

Today, in the texts in the Roman Catholic Lectionary offer some reflection on the responsibility of the gifted and the knowledgeable or the favoured. It seems natural that much should be expected of those who have much. This is easily tied to the idea that responsibility comes with privilege, authority and giftedness. We know too that we yield to the temptation to abuse our gifts and authority. We are probably masters at justifying our actions. Today's question is how our potential for freedom with gifts to exercise for all is turned into slavery to our own passions desires and self aggrandizement? It is the paradox of the Christian Life in the Spirit without laws, that Paul addresses today, that freedom turned inward becomes slavery.