THEME: CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP
READINGS: Isaiah 53:10-11 / Hebrews 4:14-16 / Mark 10:35-45
20th October 2024
29TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
INTRODUCTION
Beloved in Christ, a message from today’s readings is Christian leadership. This message is intended not only for the clergy and lay leaders in the Church but also for all Christians who play leadership roles in their families, communities, schools, organizations, the state, etc.
- CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP IS NOT FOR PERSONAL GAIN
According to the gospel reading, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, requested from our Lord Jesus, two high places of honour – sitting at His right hand and left hand in His glory. Thus, the two brothers made personal gain their priority. However, they were disappointed. Therefore, when we have the opportunity to lead in the Church, families, communities, schools, organizations, the state, etc., our primary goal should not be to secure personal gains.
- CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP IS SELFLESS SERVICE
Instead of personal gain, Christian leadership aims at the good of others. For instance, the focus of the Suffering Servant in today’s first reading was to become a channel of God’s mercy and forgiveness for His people (cf. Is. 53:10-12). Similarly, in the gospel reading, Jesus exhorts us to serve the good of others: “whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be the first among you must be a slave of all” (Mark 10:43-44). - CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP REQUIRES EMPATHY
One can truly offer selfless service to others if he/she empathizes with them – i.e., if he/she understands and shares in their plight or experience.
Thus, though the Son of God, Jesus became human in order to share in our experience. The Letter to the Hebrews puts it this way: “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin” (Heb. 4:15). Therefore, like Jesus, let us emphasize with those we have the privilege to lead.
- CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP ENTAILS PERSONAL SACRIFICE
According to the first reading, “through his suffering, [God’s] servant shall justify many, and their guilt he shall bear” (Isa. 53:11). Jesus who would fulfill this prophecy says in today’s gospel reading: “the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).
Furthermore, by telling James and John that “The cup that I drink, you will drink” (Mark 10:39), Jesus alluded to the importance of personal sacrifice in Christian leadership. That the “cup” in this context refers to suffering or sacrifice is obvious in the prayer of Jesus in His agony (cf. Mark 14:36). So, in imitation of Jesus, Christian leaders should make personal sacrifices for the good of others.
- CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP REQUIRES HUMILITY
Besides, personal sacrifice which means giving up something good we possess, selfless service entails humility which is giving up something bad (i.e., pride) which we have acquired.
Jesus thus enjoins us to serve with humility: “whoever would be the first among you must be a slave of all” (Mark 10:44). Later on, Jesus would demonstrate humble service by washing the feet of His disciples at the Last Supper (cf. John 13:1-17). Then, in His crucifixion, loving service, selflessness, sacrifice and humility would meet in the most sublime way possible (cf. Phil. 2:5-11).
CONCLUSION
If we serve not primarily for personal gain but selflessly and humbly for the good of others, God will bless us as He assured His servant: “when he makes himself an offering for sin [of others], he shall see his offspring, he shall prolong his days; the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand; he shall see the fruit of the travail of his soul and be satisfied…. I will allot him a portion with the great” (Isa. 53:10-12).
Amen!
By Most Rev. John Kobina Louis
