20250725 GREATNESS IN LEADERSHIP
25 July 2025, Friday, St. James, Apostle
First reading |
2 Corinthians 4:7-15 |
Such an overwhelming power comes from God and not from us
We are only the earthenware jars that hold this treasure, to make it clear that such an overwhelming power comes from God and not from us. We are in difficulties on all sides, but never cornered; we see no answer to our problems, but never despair; we have been persecuted, but never deserted; knocked down, but never killed; always, wherever we may be, we carry with us in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus, too, may always be seen in our body. Indeed, while we are still alive, we are consigned to our death every day, for the sake of Jesus, so that in our mortal flesh the life of Jesus, too, may be openly shown. So death is at work in us, but life in you.
But as we have the same spirit of faith that is mentioned in scripture – I believed, and therefore I spoke – we too believe and therefore we too speak, knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus to life will raise us with Jesus in our turn, and put us by his side and you with us. You see, all this is for your benefit, so that the more grace is multiplied among people, the more thanksgiving there will be, to the glory of God.
Responsorial Psalm |
Psalm 125(126):1-6 |
Those who are sowing in tears will sing when they reap.
When the Lord delivered Zion from bondage,
it seemed like a dream.
Then was our mouth filled with laughter,
on our lips there were songs.
Those who are sowing in tears will sing when they reap.
The heathens themselves said: ‘What marvels
the Lord worked for them!’
What marvels the Lord worked for us!
Indeed we were glad.
Those who are sowing in tears will sing when they reap.
Deliver us, O Lord, from our bondage
as streams in dry land.
Those who are sowing in tears
will sing when they reap.
Those who are sowing in tears will sing when they reap.
They go out, they go out, full of tears,
carrying seed for the sowing:
they come back, they come back, full of song,
carrying their sheaves.
Those who are sowing in tears will sing when they reap.
Gospel Acclamation | cf.Jn15:16 |
Alleluia, alleluia!
I chose you from the world
to go out and bear fruit,
fruit that will last,
says the Lord.
Alleluia!
Gospel |
Matthew 20:20-28 |
'Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink?'
The mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Jesus with her sons to make a request of him, and bowed low; and he said to her, ‘What is it you want?’ She said to him, ‘Promise that these two sons of mine may sit one at your right hand and the other at your left in your kingdom.’ ‘You do not know what you are asking’ Jesus answered. ‘Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink?’ They replied, ‘We can.’ ‘Very well,’ he said ‘you shall drink my cup, but as for seats at my right hand and my left, these are not mine to grant; they belong to those to whom they have been allotted by my Father.’
When the other ten heard this they were indignant with the two brothers. But Jesus called them to him and said, ‘You know that among the pagans the rulers lord it over them, and their great men make their authority felt. This is not to happen among you. No; anyone who wants to be great among you must be your servant, and anyone who wants to be first among you must be your slave, just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’
GREATNESS IN LEADERSHIP
SCRIPTURE READINGS: [2 COR 4:7-15; MT 20:20-28]
There are many people in the world who seek positions of leadership. But why does one seek to be a leader? For most, leadership is associated with power, status, glory, honor, privileges, and wealth. This was the same reason the mother of the sons of Zebedee made a request of Jesus: “Promise that these two sons of mine may sit one at your right hand and the other at your left in your kingdom.”
It is more likely, however, that the request actually came from James and John themselves. If they needed their mother to make the request on their behalf, it would suggest they were not capable of thinking and acting independently. Out of respect for the apostles – who were already highly esteemed by the time the Gospel of St Matthew was written – the account might have portrayed the mother as the one making the request. Of course, it could also be true that mothers can be just as ambitious as their children, desiring their success so that they, too, may share in their glory and, sometimes, their wealth as well.
However, leaders who serve purely or primarily for these motives – even if they are successful in their endeavours – cannot be considered truly great leaders. They serve themselves more than others. Nevertheless, they are already paid for their efforts, talents, and labor. Of course, they may contribute to the country’s economy, create jobs, and generate opportunities, and their success may produce some positive spillover effects. However, they often receive the largest share of the benefits – and sometimes even most of the profits. There are also others who love being in power and positions of influence, and who crave recognition. This gives them a sense of psychological security, knowing they are in control and in charge. For such people, they have had their reward.
True and great leaders are those whose primary motive is to serve the people under their care. They are deeply concerned for their welfare and well-being. Their leadership is rooted in love for the people and compassion – especially for those who are struggling, vulnerable, and weak. Great leaders are therefore selfless, seeking to improve the lives of others and to bring peace, progress, prosperity, and harmony wherever they serve.
Their leadership is not primarily about themselves or their personal ambitions, but about working for the common good. This is why, in the Gospel, Jesus reminded the Twelve apostles: “You know that among the pagans the rulers lord it over them, and their great men make their authority felt. This is not to happen among you. No; anyone who wants to be great among you must be your servant, and anyone who wants to be first among you must be your slave, just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Eventually, James became the first apostle to be executed for his service to Christ and the Church. Jesus’ prophecy came true when He said, “Very well, you shall drink my cup.”
Truly, the Lord reminds us that our focus should not be on rewards, but on the joy and privilege that come from service and empowering lives. He said, “as for seats at my right hand and my left, these are not mine to grant; they belong to those to whom they have been allotted by my Father.” Positions, honors, and benefits should not be our concern. What truly matters is how we are changing and touching lives – bringing hope and joy to people we serve. When we uplift the lives of others, we experience a joy that no amount of money and worldly pleasure can give.
Thus, when a leader serves himself and his interests first, he is a mercenary and not a true shepherd. Such leaders are like the hired hand, as the Lord says: “The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away – and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep.” (Jn 10:12f) This also explains why Jesus told James and John, “You do not know what you are asking.” Truly, many of us who seek leadership do not understand the sacrifices involved in carrying out the responsibilities of leadership. We tend to look at the external benefits – the frills and privileges of leadership – but forget to consider the costs, the sacrifices, and above all, the sufferings that leadership entails.
This is why the Lord asks His disciples – and by extension, all of us – “Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink?” Unfortunately, like them, we often answer without hesitation, “We can.”
But what is this cup that Jesus was referring to? It was not just the cup of self-sacrificing service – having nowhere to lay His head, suffering with the people in their pain and struggles, caring for them, healing them, liberating them from the grip of evil men, evil spirits, and sin, and teaching them the Way by being the Way, the Truth, and the Life for them. The cup that Jesus was referring to was also the cup of wrath: being despised by His followers – even those whom He cared for during His ministry – enduring His passion and crucifixion, undergoing shame and humiliation, suffering grave injustices, and, most painfully of all, experiencing the silence of His Father as He hung on the cross.
The cup of wrath meant that Jesus carried all our sins – and the consequences of those sins – in His body. As St. Paul wrote, “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Cor 5:21) Similarly, St. Peter wrote, “He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.” (1 Pt 2:24f) Jesus died in our place. Indeed, the Lord taught us by example when He said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again.” (Jn 10:11,18)
Of course, the price of good leadership is high. We expect much from our leaders – sometimes we expect them to be perfect, flawless and meticulous at all times. This may be one reason why some who possess leadership qualities decline such positions: they are not ready to sacrifice their lives, their peace, their privacy, or their freedom.
Leaders are publicly accountable not only for their actions but also for their personal lives. They are constantly watched and judged – sometimes praised, and often condemned.
If we feel overwhelmed by the cost of leadership, we can take consolation from the words of St. Paul, who reminded us of who we are. He said, “We are only the earthenware jars that hold this treasure, to make it clear that such an overwhelming power comes from God and not from us.”
In leadership, we must depend on God’s grace and assistance – not on ourselves. If we rely on our own strength, we will eventually become drained, and even resentful, especially when our sacrifices go unnoticed or unappreciated. But should that surprise us? If we are to drink the cup of our Lord, we must also be prepared to follow Him in rejection, humiliation, and even condemnation. But we also take heart, that like our Lord, we must surrender our suffering and pain to God. St. Paul, sharing the trials in his apostolic ministry, wrote: “We are in difficulties on all sides, but never cornered; we see no answer to our problems, but never despair; we have been persecuted, but never deserted; knocked down, but never killed.”
What is the secret? It is simply to carry the cross with Jesus in our body. “Wherever we may be, we carry with us in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus, too, may always be seen in our body. Indeed, while we are still alive, we are consigned to our death every day, for the sake of Jesus, so that in our mortal flesh the life of Jesus, too, may be openly shown. So death is at work in us, but life in you.” Most of all, we must trust in His power to raise us up with Him. As Paul affirms, “we too believe and therefore we too speak, knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus to life will raise us with Jesus in our turn, and put us by his side and you with us.” Christ’s death and resurrection are our hope and our strength. Let us focus our eyes on Him by contemplating on His passion and resurrection.
Best Practices for Using the Daily Scripture Reflections
- Encounter God through the spirit of prayer and the scripture by reflecting and praying the Word of God daily. The purpose is to bring you to prayer and to a deeper union with the Lord on the level of the heart.
- Daily reflections when archived will lead many to accumulate all the reflections of the week and pray in one sitting. This will compromise your capacity to enter deeply into the Word of God, as the tendency is to read for knowledge rather than a prayerful reading of the Word for the purpose of developing a personal and affective relationship with the Lord.
- It is more important to pray deeply, not read widely. The current reflections of the day would be more than sufficient for anyone who wants to pray deeply and be led into an intimacy with the Lord.
Note: You may share this reflection with someone. However, please note that reflections are not archived online nor will they be available via email request.
Written by His Eminence, Cardinal William SC Goh, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Singapore © All Rights Reserved.
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