The Powers are the Angelic representatives
of all lawful authority, ecclesiastical and civil, of
the Supreme Power of Christ's Vicar on earth, of
all Bishops, Archbishops, and Priests. They fence
round the dignity which is inherent in the highest
office of the State. All whose duty it is to govern,
receive through them their authority over their
subjects. One of the surest marks of loyalty to God
is loyalty to those whom He has appointed to take
His place on earth.
The special office of the Powers is also to
keep the devil in check. If his schemes were not
continually thwarted, if he were not hindered from
exerting the wonderful force of his spiritual nature,
the devil would play havoc with men at his
will. It is the superior power of God, exercised
through the Holy Angels, which alone frustrates
his efforts and protect us from his temptations.
We should thank God for those heavenly influences
which thus save us from destruction.
The Powers have thus complete mastery over
the devils, simply because the former were ready
to submit implicitly to God, the latter were not.
Without God, authority has no foundation on
which to rest. It is His authority which must
underlie all authority exercised by the creatures He
has made, if it is to carry weight and to prevail.
Even Our Lord spoke with authority, because He
was subject in all things. We too must be subject
if we are to rule with authority. No man is a good
superior unless he has first learned to obey.