Bitter Old Filch
written by: Rev. Dr. Scott Paczkowski
“For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.”
Filch was a squib. No, “squib” is not a wizarding curse word. A squib is a person born into the wizarding world, but without magical power. Filch has been the Hogwarts’ caretaker for many years. Year after painful year, Filch had to look on as one spoiled brat after another advanced through the school, while his low status never improved. For decades of service, Filch became more bitter, desiring what the other students had, which he could never experience.
Envy is a horrific sin with the power to destroy the soul. Filch’s life is one disappointment after another. Not because he is ignorant, but because envy has filled his heart and manipulated his values and decision-making. Those who know the Harry Potter story can recount several different moments when the Hogwarts’ caretaker was left bitter and humiliated.
Filch’s title was filled with irony. Filch was called a caretaker but was anything but a caring provider for the children and youth at Hogwarts. Filch was a student at Hogwarts, but it was quickly apparent he was void of magical ability. Rather than kick him out of the school, Dumbledore hired him as the caretaker. Filch became so bitter that he could no longer appreciate the gift Dumbledore bestowed on him.
If we are not careful, we can be made bitter by life’s shortcomings. Gratitude is important because it keeps us grounded and appreciative of what we have, rather than what we are missing. Today, take some time to appreciate what God has given you. Then, prayerfully seek God’s forgiveness for the moments we’ve succumbed to the whiny resentment that fills the heart of Filch, the caretaker. Finally, prayerfully ask God to remind us each day to appreciate the magic in our lives and not the magic others possess.