"a different kind of power"

Another interesting excerpt from my meditations for Lent

"The gospels tell us that when people witnessed Jesus' life and ministry, they saw something that sharply differentiated him from others. 'He spoke with great power, unlike the scribes and Pharisees.' However, they use a curious word to name that power. They never say that Jesus spoke with great energia ('Wow, is he energetic!') or dynamis ('What dynamism!'). Instead, they use the Greek word exousia, a word with no English equivalent, but whose meaning can be conveyed in an image.

If you would put the strongest man in the world in a room with a newborn baby, which of these two beings would be more powerful? Obviously, on one level, the man is more powerful: he could kill the baby if he wanted. But the baby possesses a different kind of power, one that can move things muscles can't. A baby has exousia: its vulnerability is a great power. It doesn't need to out-muscle anyone. A baby invites, beckons, and all that's moral and deep in the conscience simply cannot walk away."

                             - Ron Rolheiser, OMI   "Daybreaks: Daily Reflections for Lent and Easter Week