31st SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME (A) 5th November 2017

The reflections for Sundays and Solemnities is an activity of Society of St Paul, India A Reflection by: FR REUBEN TELLIS, MOUNT CARMEL CHURCH, BANDRA(W), MUMBAI -------------------------------------------- Many years ago, I had the opportunity of participating in a seminar on Christian leadership. The resource person gave us a list of 4 questions that we had to ask ourselves every night before we went to sleep: Was I loving in my relationships today? Was I involved in the joys and difficulties of others? Was I forgiving and merciful? Did I reflect enthusiasm in everything I did? The questions appear very simple on paper, but very challenging in reflection. But they are based on the Gospels and therein lies the motivation. It would appear that Our Lord in today’s Gospel is not happy with the leaders of his time– they were pompous and arrogant, they placed burdens on the people and they failed to practice what they preached. He sounds harsh in his criticism, but while doing so he proposes the servant-leadership model, a style close to his heart because he practiced it, where authority came from serving others, where respect is commanded and not demanded and where one’s relationship with God is evident in the leadership. At this same seminar, we were told that the key to Christian leadership lies in “bent knees, wet eyes, a lifted finger and a loving heart.” Because leadership is not so much a privilege or an honour, it is in fact a responsibility. That’s why we find a warning addressed to the religious leaders through the prophet Malachi in the first reading because they are found wanting in the eyes of God. Similar sentiments are also expressed by Our Lord in the Gospel. Now, the good part about Christian leadership is that we do not need any formal appointment to be known as leaders. When we browse through the Bible we realize that God calls any person to leadership to address particular situations and needs. So if this call were to be translated into today’s circumstances, then lets understand that in your family, for example, you can be an effective leader as a parent and even as a child. In school, college or even one’s place of work, effective leadership can be exercised. Even in your community where you live you can be an effective leader. Christian leadership emerges from Christ, the leader who on bent knees, with wet eyes, a lifted finger and a loving heart brought the Good News to people. When we bend our knees in prayer and worship we are acknowledging the power that comes from God who journeys with us. When our eyes are wet with tears seeing the pain and struggles of the people around us, we reflect the compassion of Jesus. When we lift our finger to help those struggling with life, we are reliving the words of Our Lord at the Last Supper – “Do this in memory of me.” When we exercise our ministry with a loving heart we are fulfilling the commandment of Jesus to love God, love others and ourselves. Our entire second reading today is a simple description of what servant leadership is all about in the words of St Paul. He minces no words in making the Thessalonians aware of the nourishment given, the compassion shown, and the hard work involved in proclaiming the Good News. The world needs more leaders, whether old or young, rich or poor, qualified or unqualified, who on bent knees, with wet eyes, a lifted finger and a loving heart can make a big difference in the name of Jesus. Are you ready to accept the challenge? Amen!