Longing for power

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My 15 yr. old son ask me is it wrong to long or crave for power. He says he finds his self doing that sometimes to use that power to do good and change the world. Either to be the President, Pope, or even a general in the army. Thanks for any insight.
 
Perhaps read the Lord of the Rings together.

The Catechism section on authority is instructive as well. The Pope does not have power. He has authority.

He is episcopus servus servorum Dei– the Servant of the Servants of God.
 
SHAKA_MAKA1 said:
My 15 yr. old son ask me is it wrong to long or crave for power. He says he finds his self doing that sometimes to use that power to do good and change the world. Either to be the President, Pope, or even a general in the army. Thanks for any insight.
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You might want to have him read Shakespeare’s MacBeth, then read it again, then again and perhaps again.

When MacBeth did his duty in the spot where Providence put him, additional power was given to him, by right and by reason of the responsibility he demonstrated. When he began seeking power directly, it was his material and spiritual ruin.

“MacBeth” is one of the most profound moral tales ever told in Western literature.
 
When a magazine put out the question for it’s readers to answer: “What’s wrong with the world?” The best response they got and published was from G. K. Chesterton who wrote pithily in reply:

“I am.”

Fulton Sheen picked up on this theme, as well, saying that the only way to change the world is to change ourselves.

This is the essence of Christianity–transformation in Christ. We cannot change the world or ourselves without being transformed in Christ.

That should be every Christian’s answer and goal as to how to change the world for the better.
 
Then the devil took him up to a very high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in their magnificence, and he said to him, “All these I shall give to you, if you will prostrate yourself and worship me.” At this, Jesus said to him, “Get away, Satan! It is written: ‘The Lord, your God, shall you worship and him alone shall you serve.’” (Mat 4:8-10)

This sermon is about 15 minutes long. Word On Fire
 
Tell your son that what he should seek is not power, but authority. The difference is that power is taken, authority is given.

He can do more by being a priest than by being President. What needs to be changed in the world are souls, and the only effective way to do that is one at a time. Although the number of priests worldwide has experienced an increase of late, the number of priests in the Americas and Europe is on a slight decline. Our souls are immortal, and to help a soul to heaven will last forever. To affect the government of a secular society will be a very short-lived thing, IF he could even do it.
 
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