Epstein or the perversion of power

Like you no doubt, I am nauseated by the abjection of the Epstein files – documents containing the names of hundreds of personalities – revealing collusion of interests, seeking influence and sexual abuse of minors.

The dialogue between Jesus and the tempter, in the gospel of the first Sunday of Lent, invites us to reread this news. “The tempter came and said to him: “If you are the Son of God…” (Mt 4, 3 and 6). His suggestions outline a system where power frees itself from ordinary rules. “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become loaves. » (Mt 4, 3) According to him, Jesus can use the angels “who will carry you in their hands”, he says, hijacking a psalm.

Manipulating words, freeing oneself from laws, using everything for one’s own purposes, using others as objects… This is what is discovered as one explores the millions of documents from these Epstein Files. Faced with this inhuman vision of power suggested by the tempter, Jesus places himself under the authority of the Bible. No fundamentalism here: like a son who inherits the experience of his elders, he follows in the footsteps of the women and men whose lives and faith have woven this text.

This question of power also runs through the Church as the abuse crisis shows us. During this time of Lent, Christians begin their journey towards Easter. We are all invited to walk in the footsteps of the Son of God who wants to be a friend of the little ones and dies on a cross. May Lent invite us to regenerate our practice of power!