In today’s first
reading (Jeremiah 23:1-6), God through the prophet Jeremiah rebukes the bad
leaders of Israel who through their bad leadership allowed the Israelites to be
destroyed, scattered and taken into captivity by the Assyrians. They could not
take good care of the people under their care and perhaps were also unavailable
to attend to their needs. As a result, the people became lawless, turned away
from God and were taken into captivity.
But God did not
abandon His people as their leaders did. Instead, He promised to bring them back
from captivity, to gather them into one people again and to raise another
leader for them. This time, a leader who would be available for them, a leader
who would be compassionate and merciful, a leader who would teach them the
right things to do and a leader who would attend to all their needs, both
spiritual and temporal.
In the gospel reading
(Mark 6:30-34), we see the fulfillment of this promise in the person of Jesus Christ.
He is the new shepherd of Israel, the good shepherd who will rather lay down
his life for his sheep instead of allowing them to remain under the captivity
of sin and death. He is the shepherd to gather the scattered people into one
flock and feed them with his body and blood.
Today, Jesus the Good
Shepherd and leader is represented by our religious leaders and through them,
we encounter the compassionate Jesus, the Good Shepherd and the reliable
leader. Therefore, our religious leaders should follow the examples of Jesus to
make themselves available for the people seeking God. They have to sacrifice
their comfort and rest when genuine pastoral needs call for that.
However, most of us
are also leaders in various capacities; some are leaders as managers,
directors, class prefects, landlords, parents, elders, politicians, teachers,
etc. We most often have some persons receiving directives from us. Therefore,
as leaders, let us also be conscious of the caveat in the first reading. Be conscious
of your position and work for the good of the people under your care or expect
the wrath of God to befall you.
Like the second
reading (Ephesians 2:13-18) exhorts us, let us after the example of Christ
promote peace among the people under our care. As leaders, let us not create barriers
between people, nations or races instead let us break down all barriers between
people. Let us lead with unity, love, equality, justice and peace.
More so, do not be fast
to forget that as a leader, on the last day, at the completion of your work,
you will give an account of all you did and taught just as the apostles did in
the gospel reading. So work well so that at the last day, you will have
something positive to report to the Lord.
Finally, in all your
endeavours, do not forget to keep communion with the Lord who sent you. Always
return to him occasionally to give him a report of your work and to have your strength
renewed. Always have some genuine moment of rest and prayer when you will be
alone with the Lord of work to receive the unction to function more
effectively. As we strive to lead according to the examples of Christ, may he
keep assisting us. Amen. God loves you.
***
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Your reflections have been great and I am sure you will make a good priest with regards to your homilies.
ReplyDeleteit sure helped alot on my assignment
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