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In today's Gospel Jesus provides us with an important lesson in Christian leadership. Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all' (Mk. 10:43-44). Furthermore, Jesus is not merely presenting us with a doctrine or a philosophy of leadership but, as the first reading proclaims, He has provided us with a living example. Jesus is the suffering servant of Yahweh who through His suffering and death has won our redemption. In our own times, secular notions of leadership accentuate competitiveness, and the ability to manipulate others. It is also success driven. Leadership is often associated with unbridled political power, control and manipulation. To lead is to vanquish and secure complete authority over others. Today, perhaps, more so than ever before, to be a follower of Jesus is to be counter-cultural. As Christians, we are called to die to ourselves, to sacrifice our self interest, and to use our positions of leadership for the betterment of others and of society at large. Dear Lord, teach me to be a servant so that I too might appreciate in my own life more of Your saving grace. Amen. |
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P R A Y I N G W I T H T H E C H U R C H
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That young married couples may be sustained by the example and assistance of their parents and other families
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The testimony and help that parents and other families must offer to sustain young married couples finds its place in the ambit of post-matrimonial pastoral care. Parents and other families are the most suited to offer this assistance to young spouses because clearly they have lived personally the values which they must transmit. These parents show faithfulness through living in the best possible way the commitments assumed during their marriage. One could ask, but why is it necessary for young couples to be sustained by the testimony of their parents and other families? The answer is, because today there are many negative attitudes which scandalise and discourage young people. Being new to the condition of matrimonial life they need advice, encouragement, moral support, correction and prayer. They cannot be left alone or abandoned in this phase of their lives. Couples need to take advantage of the wealth of the experience and wisdom of their parents. "The pastoral action of the Church must be progressive, also in the sense that it must accompany the family, following it step by step in the various stages of its formation and development," (Familiaris Consortio n65, 69). | |
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