Authority
/In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. - Luke 2:1-3
So much chaos can be created by the mere swipe of a powerful person’s pen. Emperor Augustus had a great idea - let’s take a comprehensive census of all the people in all the lands we have occupied. That will help us levy more taxes and know who is available for conscription should we need soldiers. And, just to make things easy, let’s have each of them register in the town they are from. Why make things complicated for ourselves by having them register where they are currently living if that’s not their permanent home. If they just register in the place they’re from, we won’t have to weed through all the data to figure out who belongs where. It’ll be much simpler.
Simpler for whom? Bethlehem, a small little hometown near the larger town of Nazareth - or the much larger Jerusalem - suddenly must have become full of people coming back home to register. And they seemed to have little choice in the matter. Joseph and Mary traveled the 90 miles on foot and on a donkey, even though she was very close to delivering a child. The logic of doing a census in an organized way was clearly far more ‘front of mind’ for the rulers and administrators of Rome than was the hardship such a system would cause everyday people.
Being blind to the deeper effects of one’s choices on others is an unfortunate symptom of having power. And this story demonstrates an example of callous disregard. It’s the kind of callous disregard you would expect in a time of occupation and oppression. But we do not have to look far to see similar examples from those in power today. With the stroke of a pen, those with power can write off the basic rights, needs or integrity of others. Governmental leaders make harsh budget cuts that deprive the poor and bolster the already powerful. Corporate leaders turn a blind eye toward issues of labor fairness in favor of increasing the stockholders’ profit. Media influencers speak sensational words of hate to attract more readers to get more and more viral views, despite the effects those hateful messages on our society. Those who have power may embrace a clear logic of what they are doing and might even be able to justify their disregard with a philosophy or theory, while remaining asleep to those without power who suffer as a consequence of their actions.
This is why we always pray for those in authority in our tradition. Because, first - would you want to be the president right now, knowing that whatever you decide you will inflame the hatred of half the population? Would you like to be a senator or representative having to navigate the divisions in congress right now? Or would you relish being the head of a major corporation that employs thousands of people that is struggling in the pandemic? We pray for those in authority because leadership is really hard, and we want all leaders to continue to strive for their highest ideals despite the inevitable pushback and struggle they will encounter. We know we need good leaders and authorities in our world, and so we want them to do well.
But we also pray for those in authority because power can so easily corrupt and one’s highest ideals can so easily take a back seat. Those in authority are continually tempted by power, which can cause them to do self centered things that put blinders on their eyes, keeping them from seeing the effects of their decisions down the line in Bethlehem, where the crowd is unable to find even a place to sleep.
Finally, we pray for those in authority, because we need to pray for ourselves. We are remembering that we all have some kind of authority in this world. We all make decisions on behalf of others in some way or another, whether through our work or our families - or even on our own, as we make decisions for ourselves. Everyone, no matter how small their sphere of influence, has the possibility of allowing their personal power to get out of control. So we are also praying for ourselves as we pray for those “in authority.” It is complicated to navigate the powers, principalities and politics of this world faithfully.
The story of Caesar Augustus’ census reminds us that Christ was born into a brutal world. And it is the same brutal world into which he is born today - a world full of mis-used power, callous disregard, hurt and blindness to need. As we approach the manger this year, may we remember we’re not just taking a peek at an adorable baby, but coming on bended knee before our Sovereign. Jesus spoke with the authority of God, and everyone could see the difference between that and the power of the other authorities of their time. Stir up your power, O Lord! It is only by your true authority that love and justice are born.
