Feast Of Saint James, Apostle

2 Corinthians 4:7-15
Matthew 20:20-28

ARE YOU A TRUE LEADER?

Ambition, Power, and prestigious position are often associated with leadership – and they can be seductively alluring but in the vision of Jesus, leadership goes beyond mere titles and positions in a group structure or public affairs.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells the mother of James and John that leadership entails service to others. “Whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave” Matthew 20: 25-28. In other words, no matter the position we occupy in the Church and in society at large, the best and the greatest way of exercising the authority given to us is not to lord it over people but in humility offer our genuine service for the good and wellbeing of others.

Today, some of us follow Christ for favour and positions of honor while some follow Him so that they can be placed to be in charge of others as men and women of God. Such people desire respect and authority to control people. Yet others follow Him because they are in difficulties and once things turn around for them, they abandon Him sooner than later. More so, others follow Christ because of particular privileges they can get . To seek only these aspects, therefore, is to be led astray, and instead of leading, one is being led by other ulterior motives– and the mission suffers.

Furthermore, while Jesus sees that true leadership entails witnessing to the ‘seat of office’ – He also stresses the fact that a leader must also be prepared to endure betrayal, restriction of liberty, and even death. He speaks openly of His chalice’ as a symbol of these realities. This is how true leaders exercise authority since it is a privilege given by God.

Again, while the New Testament hardly presents the apostles as steadfast, heroic individuals who courageously stand by the Master through thick and thin — we know that in time they gave their lives witnessing to Jesus’ proclamation of the Kingdom. So, today’s feast of St. James gives us hope and encouragement in the sense that, a true leader is the one who is like Christ-the servant of all and the saving victim; the one who is ready to lay down his life for the sake of others. How beautiful the world would be if our leaders and politicians use their authority in the right manner. Can we accept this challenge?

Fr Joseph Osho