Pneumocracy

September 9: Tuesday of Week 23 of Ordinary Time, Year A-II:

1 Corinthians 6:1-11; Psalm 149:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 9; Luke 6:12-19

What is Jesus saying to us as stewards of his kingship? 

(To support Reaching Jesus... Step Five).

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“Do you not know we will judge angels? Then why not everyday matters?” (1 Corinthians 6:1).

When we read about Jesus choosing his twelve apostles, we may miss what this says about the rest of us. “Apostle” means “sent.” And we are all sent. True, the Twelve had special authority in the Church, exercised now through the bishops. But Christian authority is unique: it is neither monarchy nor democracy. We can call it “pneumocracy,” meaning “government by the Spirit.”

In the Church, all “obedience”—from “ob-oe(au)dire,” to “listen to”—is listening to the Spirit. The Church is governed through communal discernment. Authorities simply have the last word in the discernment process.

We call the pope the “first among equals” (google it) among his fellow bishops. The truth is, every Christian authority (e.g. bishops, pastors) is “first among equals” among all fellow Christians. What those with authority to command really have is authority to declare what the Spirit is saying. And, yes, we must listen; but for the Spirit, to the Spirit, in the Spirit. When Church officials govern in any other way, they abuse their authority.

The greatest fault lies with the laity who let themselves be governed like passive sheep. All—without exception—have the duty to participate in the government of parishes, dioceses, and the universal Church by listening to the Spirit’s voice and lifting up their own. Silence is a sin against stewardship.

PRAY: “Lord, open my lips.”

PRACTICE: Look, judge, speak.