Making a Joyful Noise through Lent – 03/18/2014
“The Lord gets involved and he involves
his own, as he kneels to wash their feet. He tells his disciples: “You will be
blessed if you do this” (Jn 13:17). An evangelizing community gets involved by
word and deed in people’s daily lives; it bridges distances, it is willing to
abase itself if necessary, and it embraces human life, touching the suffering
flesh of Christ in others. Evangelizers thus take on the “smell of the sheep”
and the sheep are willing to hear their voice.” (Pope Francis – Evangelii Gaudium – The Joy of the Gospel)
I the year that he has been pope, Pope
Francis has given us many examples of what it means to lead, of what it means
to be a shepherd. His words today echo in a positive way the words of Jesus in
the Gospel (Matthew 23: 1-12). A leader is someone who knows, understands and
walks with the community. The leader does not stand a part, does not say one
thing and do another. The leader always needs to the humble servant of the
community.
Now I have to admit to you that I
struggle every time I hear or read today's Gospel. The images that Jesus uses
to talk about the religious leadership of his time seem all too familiar and
being a part of the leadership of our Church I wonder about myself.
I think of the scandals and struggles of
the Church today and wonder if the very pitfalls that Jesus points out about
the leadership of his day are not alive and well in the leadership of the
Church today. Let's remember that the scribes and Pharisees of Jesus' day were
good people for the most part. They were doing what they thought they were
supposed to do. However they were caught up in a religious leadership culture
that had developed over centuries. They thought they were doing the right
thing. Many in religious leadership today are good people doing what they think
is right, caught up in the leadership culture that has developed over
centuries. But like Jesus' time does that make it right and life giving?
For me whether you are part of the
religious leadership of today or not the challenge of the Gospel today is that
of being a humble servant. Throughout my life and ministry as a priest I have
always imaged myself as a servant and a shepherd. Those are the two images that
make the most sense to me for who I am and how I am supposed to live. I work at
trying to be a humble person but I am not always successful. What always brings
me back to reality when I get too full of myself is that I am a servant nothing
more.
Too often today we see people in leadership
who feel entitled, who look for the places of honor, who seek out titles, who
do place burdens on others without any thought of helping. They become people
who are distant, at times unapproachable and certainly not shepherds or
servants!
Perhaps our task today in to pray for
leadership, especially within our Church that they - we might find the virtues
of servant and shepherd once again. That they - we might take to hearts the
words of Jesus and seek to be humble servants who learn to do good again!
Have a great Tuesday everyone and don’t
forget to make a joyful noise with your life today!
Daily Prayer: Loving God, we
pray today not just for ourselves but also for those who lead us. Give us and
all in leadership the wisdom to see the value of humility and service. Help us
to overcome the desires of entitlement, power, influence and status. Grant us
the grace to be compassionate, hope filled and loving servants and shepherds.
Guide us with your love so that everything we do will show the saving power of
God. Amen!
Runners' Thoughts: A runner who
embarks on the journey of prayer and running can expect surprises, missteps,
and perhaps great leaps toward a relationship with God! So as you run never
underestimate the power of dreams, the influence of the human spirit and the
presence of God!
Daily Blessing: Tuesday greetings
to all, I hope your day has started off well and that it will continue to be a
good day for you. If it has not I pray that it will only get better. I also
hope you had a nice St. Patrick’s Day yesterday and that you were able to
celebrate at least a little.
My celebration yesterday was with the
faith community at OLPH Parish in Pelham Manor. The first day of the mission
went very well. We had two good sessions in the morning and evening and there
was a good great spirit at both. I also had the opportunity to talk with the 5th
thru 8th grades in the school and to hear confessions for the
Religious Education students. All in all it was a nice celebration of St.
Patrick’s Day and ministry! I ask your continued prayers for the faith
community at OLPH and their preacher.
Today will be a busy day as I not only
will be celebrating two mission services but will also run into Manhattan to
celebrate one of the Sunday TV masses as today is the taping day. I will not be
there for the whole day as usual but I will get there for the two afternoon
taping sessions.
So in the midst of the cold and the
busyness of this day I once again offer a prayer of blessing upon all of you. I
ask God to bless your day and whatever you will be doing. May today truly be a
day rich in the presence of God for you, your loved ones and for everyone you
meet! Peace in Christ's Passion...Fr. Paul
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