ONE day in Capernaum, Christ with his followers was teaching in a synagogue and the people were amazed because he taught as one “with authority and not as the scribes.”
Later, the people were again amazed when Christ drove away the unclean spirit that possessed a man there. They could not help but exclaim, “What is this? A new teaching with authority. He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him.” (cfr. Mk 1,21-28).
These incidents simply showed to the people the true identity of Christ—that he was not just any ordinary person, nor just an accomplished preacher. He was trying to lead the people to believe that he was the expected Messiah who wants to bring us back to the dignity meant for us.
But underlying all these incidents is the fact that Christ also wants to share his power and authority with us. He is actually unstinting in sharing what he has with us. As to our capacity to share his power and authority, there should be no question. We are wired and equipped for that state of life. Things would just depend on us as to how we are receptive to God’s designs for us in this regard.
That is why we need to give due attention and care for our spiritual faculties of the intellect and will. As our Christian faith tells us, of all the powers and capabilities we have, it is the intellect and the will that make us image and likeness of God before all the other components of our humanity, like our body, can partake of the same dignity.
That’s simply because these powers of ours enable us to know and to love, and therefore, allowing us to enter into communion with the objects of our knowledge and love. They are spiritual powers that transcend the dynamics of our physical or material constitution, i.e., our biological, chemical make-up, etc.
As such, these powers of ours are capable of receiving and acting not only on things of nature, but also on the spiritual and supernatural realities. A philosophical term is applied to this phenomenon. And this is called their “obediential potency,” that allows them to be elevated to the supernatural order, to the world of grace, the world of the spirit and of God.
As a Catholic dictionary would put it, obediential potency is “the capacity to receive either a miraculous change or a supernatural perfection that exceeds the natural capacities of a being.” Of all the creatures of God, we, together with the angels, have that potency.
It stands to reason therefore that we have to give due attention and care for these powerful faculties of ours. We just cannot allow them to develop on their own, simply guided by what our senses can discern.
They have to be inspired and guided by the things of God who give us a share not only of his knowledge but also of his very life, his power and authority, through the gifts of faith, hope and charity, or the gift of grace in general.
Unless our spiritual faculties of intellect and will are guided by faith, hope and charity, they can only go anywhere and nowhere, and in fact can expose and lead us to a lot of dangers. Indeed, they can be our worst enemy, our gravest curse!
Without faith, hope and charity, or without grace, we may know a lot of things and get involved also in significant human affairs, but we will fail to reach the goal meant for us. We would be prone to get entangled in controversies and endless contentions. We would fail to enjoy what God wants to share with us.
Based on Connections
In today’s highly competitive job market, the role of connections in securing employment has become increasingly prevalent. That’s hiring workers solely based on personal connections, a practice commonly known as nepotism, and it can have significant detrimental effects. Yes, there are ails of hiring workers based on personal connections, with ethical, social, economic, and organizational consequences.
Such hiring practices raise ethical concerns that erode the principles of fairness, equal opportunity, and meritocracy. By giving undue preference to individuals based on their connections, employers bypass the principles of fair competition, wherein skills, qualifications, and experience are intended to be the primary determining factors for recruitment. This practice compromises the integrity of the hiring process, undermining the trust of both employees and the public, exacerbating societal inequality, and fueling feelings of resentment in those who are rejected based on mere nepotism.
Nepotistic hiring practices can pose a negative work culture and damage employee morale. When employees perceive that positions are filled primarily through connections rather than merit, their motivation and commitment to the organization may falter. This erosion of trust and morale can lead to a decline in productivity, a lack of respect for authority, and a detrimental impact on teamwork. Ultimately, nepotism disrupts the cohesion and harmony within organizations, hindering their ability to achieve long-term goals and objectives.
From an economic perspective, nepotistic hiring practices can severely affect organizations. By prioritizing personal connections over the talent pool, businesses risk overlooking highly qualified candidates who possess the necessary skills to drive innovation and growth. This inhibits progress and places organizations at a disadvantage compared to their competitors who prioritize merit-based hiring. Furthermore, nepotism fosters inefficiency and mediocrity within an organization, ultimately hindering its ability to adapt to evolving market demands and achieve optimal performance.
Indeed, nepotism poses significant threats to the overall functionality and sustainability of organizations. When positions are filled based on connections rather than skills and experience, the competence and expertise necessary for effective decision-making are compromised. This can lead to poor management, suboptimal strategic planning, and an overall decline in organizational performance. Nepotistic hiring practices may also limit diversity and hinder the creation of inclusive work environments, which are vital for eliciting creativity, innovation, and adaptability in today’s fast-paced and globalized business landscape.
The ails of hiring workers based on personal connections are numerous and varied, touching upon ethical, social, economic, and organizational aspects. To ensure a merit-based and inclusive work environment, employers should prioritize fair competition, equal opportunity, and the selection of the most qualified candidates. With this, organizations can promote an atmosphere of transparency, trust, and equality, thereby creating a culture of excellence and reaping the rewards of a diverse and talented workforce. But sad to say, this nepotism is a prevalent practice in our country, especially in government agencies, resulting in poor performance and government losses.