Scripture Reflection and Prayer : Journeying together: March 2021

Friday 5 March 2021

A GRACIOUS SOCIETY WELCOMES SINNERS

20210306 A GRACIOUS SOCIETY WELCOMES SINNERS

06 March, 2021, Saturday, 2nd Week of Lent

First reading

Micah 7:14-15,18-20 ©

Have pity on us one more time

With shepherd’s crook, O Lord, lead your people to pasture,

the flock that is your heritage,

living confined in a forest

with meadow land all around.

Let them pasture in Bashan and Gilead

as in the days of old.

As in the days when you came out of Egypt

grant us to see wonders.

What god can compare with you: taking fault away,

pardoning crime,

not cherishing anger for ever

but delighting in showing mercy?

Once more have pity on us,

tread down our faults,

to the bottom of the sea

throw all our sins.

Grant Jacob your faithfulness,

and Abraham your mercy,

as you swore to our fathers

from the days of long ago.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 102(103):1-4,9-12 ©

The Lord is compassion and love.

My soul, give thanks to the Lord

all my being, bless his holy name.

My soul, give thanks to the Lord

and never forget all his blessings.

The Lord is compassion and love.

It is he who forgives all your guilt,

who heals every one of your ills,

who redeems your life from the grave,

who crowns you with love and compassion.

The Lord is compassion and love.

His wrath will come to an end;

he will not be angry for ever.

He does not treat us according to our sins

nor repay us according to our faults.

The Lord is compassion and love.

For as the heavens are high above the earth

so strong is his love for those who fear him.

As far as the east is from the west

so far does he remove our sins.

The Lord is compassion and love.

Gospel Acclamation

Lk15:18

Glory and praise to you, O Christ!

I will leave this place and go to my father and say:

‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.’

Glory and praise to you, O Christ!

Gospel

Luke 15:1-3,11-32 ©

The prodigal son

The tax collectors and the sinners were all seeking the company of Jesus to hear what he had to say, and the Pharisees and the scribes complained. ‘This man’ they said ‘welcomes sinners and eats with them.’ So he spoke this parable to them:

‘A man had two sons. The younger said to his father, “Father, let me have the share of the estate that would come to me.” So the father divided the property between them. A few days later, the younger son got together everything he had and left for a distant country where he squandered his money on a life of debauchery.

‘When he had spent it all, that country experienced a severe famine, and now he began to feel the pinch, so he hired himself out to one of the local inhabitants who put him on his farm to feed the pigs. And he would willingly have filled his belly with the husks the pigs were eating but no one offered him anything. Then he came to his senses and said, “How many of my father’s paid servants have more food than they want, and here am I dying of hunger! I will leave this place and go to my father and say: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as one of your paid servants.” So he left the place and went back to his father.

‘While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with pity. He ran to the boy, clasped him in his arms and kissed him tenderly. Then his son said, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son.” But the father said to his servants, “Quick! Bring out the best robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the calf we have been fattening, and kill it; we are going to have a feast, a celebration, because this son of mine was dead and has come back to life; he was lost and is found.” And they began to celebrate.

‘Now the elder son was out in the fields, and on his way back, as he drew near the house, he could hear music and dancing. Calling one of the servants he asked what it was all about. “Your brother has come” replied the servant “and your father has killed the calf we had fattened because he has got him back safe and sound.” He was angry then and refused to go in, and his father came out to plead with him; but he answered his father, “Look, all these years I have slaved for you and never once disobeyed your orders, yet you never offered me so much as a kid for me to celebrate with my friends. But, for this son of yours, when he comes back after swallowing up your property – he and his women – you kill the calf we had been fattening.”

‘The father said, “My son, you are with me always and all I have is yours. But it was only right we should celebrate and rejoice, because your brother here was dead and has come to life; he was lost and is found.”’

A GRACIOUS SOCIETY WELCOMES SINNERS

SCRIPTURE READINGS: [MICAH 7:14-15, 18-20; PS 103:1-4,9-12; LK 15:1-3; 11-32]

Today we speak of building a gracious community. Unfortunately, building a gracious society to different people means different things. For some it is to accept the LGBTQ Community. For others, it is to allow everyone to live, including human embryos, the physically and mentally challenged and the elderly. For believers, it is to welcome those who are divorced and remarried. For others, it is to care for the poor, the marginalized and the vulnerable and those with infectious diseases.

But society is harsh and cruel to those who are errant, have committed offences and crimes, or broken the laws of their faith tradition. Society not only imposes severe punishments on criminals and those who break the law but often excludes and marginalizes ex-offenders. After being released from prison, they are rejected by their own family members, especially if they were drug addicts or have caused shame to the family. Those who have committed criminal breach of trust after serving their sentence are unable to find jobs because of past criminal records. The stark reality of life is that once a criminal, we remain a criminal in the eyes of our fellowmen for the rest of our life. Worse still, if one is a sex offender, whether one has committed rape, molestation, voyeurism or pedophilia. Not only is the person condemned by society but he or she will be seen as such and labeled as such, regardless what rehabilitation program one might have gone through. Indeed, whilst we proclaim ourselves to be a gracious society, we are not entirely gracious until we can forgive sinners and welcome them back to the community.

Most of us behave like the elder son in today’s parable of the Forgiving Father. When he heard that the younger son had returned and the Father was organizing a party to welcome him back, he was furious, angry, resentful and refused to go into the house to celebrate with the Father. He even refused to acknowledge him as his brother. As far as he was concerned, he was only the son of his father. He was judgmental, even though nothing was said about the younger brother being involved in promiscuous activities. He said, “But, for this son of yours, when he comes back after swallowing up your property – he and his women – you kill the calf we had been fattening.”

Indeed, he was concerned about justice and equity, not about mercy or reconciliation. He told the Father, “Look, all these years I have slaved for you and never once disobeyed your orders, yet you never offered me so much as a kid for me to celebrate with my friends.” We too feel cheated when someone who had absconded after taking away our money, our share of the property or even harming us sexually, physically and our reputation is returned to society. How could we accept such a person back into the family or the community! That person should be excluded forever and we should have nothing to do with him or her anymore. To welcome the person back and worse still, to restore him his rights and dignity as the Father did when he told the servants, “Quick! Bring out the best robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the calf we have been fattening, and kill it; we are going to have a feast.” is unjust. If we were the elder son, who has worked hard for the organization or for our family business, and when we see those who were lazy, abused the funds of the organization and then after being found out, are still reinstated to the organization, we would feel a great sense of injustice. We want punishment to be meted out and that they be given the boot forever.

This parable actually is an allegory of the historical situation of the Jews with regard to the Samaritans in the Northern Kingdom. Judah, the Southern Kingdom of Israel was the elder brother of Ephraim in the Northern Kingdom. Ephraim and Manasseh were the sons of Joseph and both were incorporated into the Twelve Tribes of Israel. Ephraim betrayed the Lord and the Covenant. They worshipped false gods and started their own sanctuaries. Eventually, they were destroyed by the Assyrians in the 8^th century and as a consequence exiled to Babylon and the Assyrians settled in the Northern Kingdom. Many of them later inter-married. For this reason, they were called Samaritans, as they were half-Jews. They were despised by the pure Jews in Judah, the Southern Kingdom. Even during the time of Jesus, the Gentiles, including the Samaritans, were considered sinners and therefore excluded from the Covenant. The Pharisees particularly, could not tolerate sinners. This explains why when “the tax collectors and the sinners were all seeking the company of Jesus to hear what he had to say…the Pharisees and the scribes complained. ‘This man’ they said ‘welcomes sinners and eats with them.'”

But God acts differently. The father in the parable of today’s gospel portrays God as our loving and forgiving Father. God does not consider our sins so long as we repent. As the prophet Micah said, “What god can compare with you: taking fault away, pardoning crime, not cherishing anger forever but delighting in showing mercy? Once more have pity on us, tread down our faults, to the bottom of the sea throw all our sins.” The psalmist declared, “The Lord is compassion and love. His wrath will come to an end; he will not be angry for ever: He does not treat us according to our sins nor repay us according to our faults. For as the heavens are high above the earth so strong is his love for those who fear him. As far as the east is from the west so far does he remove our sins?” God wants to forgive us and reconcile us with Him. The parable is meant not for the sinner but for the Pharisees who, like many of us, cannot welcome sinners back to the community. We are not magnanimous enough to welcome back sinners and rejoice with the Father, who said, “this son of mine was dead and has come back to life; he was lost and is found.”

Yet, the truth is that the prodigal son is but a figure of the fallen man who has forgotten his identity. Because of original sin, we have forgotten that we are God’s children. That was what happened to the younger son. He felt that God was not his loving Father. Sin wants independence from God. So the younger son left home and left God to search for his own identity. As a consequence, he fell into a deeper abyss. He lost himself completely and was reduced to a non-person. He was not even a Jew because he took the most degrading job, working for a Gentile and rearing pigs, which were considered unclean animals. It was in his suffering and poverty that he came to realize His Father was a loving father and provided for all his needs. As St Luke poignantly wrote, “Then he came to his senses and said, ‘How many of my father’s paid servants have more food than they want, and here I am dying of hunger! I will leave this place and go to my father and say: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as one of your paid servants.’ So he left the place and went back to his father.” It was only upon returning that he regained his sonship when the Father restored his dignity and rights. He gave him back the symbols of dignity in the form of a ring, a robe and sandals.

But the irony is that although the younger son lost his identity when he strayed, at least he came to realization and returned to the Father’s house. Sadly, this was not the case of the elder son. Like many good Catholics, we have been faithfully serving God and His Church, giving our contributions regularly, but we do not truly see God as our Father. Like the elder son, we are more like a slave, doing and obeying out of fear and obedience. We do not perform our obligations with joy but reluctantly and slavishly. Like him, we forget, as the Father said, “My son, you are with me always and all I have is yours. But it was only right we should celebrate and rejoice, because your brother here was dead and has come to life; he was lost and is found.” Truly, everything has already been given to us by God. Why should we begrudge our brother who has done wrong and has now returned to Him? Shouldn’t we be generous like God our Father is towards us? This is why, building a gracious society requires us to welcome all sinners, criminal offenders and those who have broken Church laws. We should be happy that they have repented and returned home.

Thursday 4 March 2021

TRUSTING IN GOD’S WISDOM AND PLANS FOR US

20210305 TRUSTING IN GOD’S WISDOM AND PLANS FOR US

05 March, 2021, Friday, 2nd Week of Lent

First reading

Genesis 37:3-4,12-13,17-28 ©

Let us kill him: then we shall see what becomes of his dreams

Israel loved Joseph more than all his other sons, for he was the son of his old age, and he had a coat with long sleeves made for him. But his brothers, seeing how his father loved him more than all his other sons, came to hate him so much that they could not say a civil word to him.

His brothers went to pasture their father’s flock at Shechem. Then Israel said to Joseph, ‘Are not your brothers with the flock at Shechem? Come, I am going to send you to them.’ So Joseph went after his brothers and found them at Dothan.

They saw him in the distance, and before he reached them they made a plot among themselves to put him to death. ‘Here comes the man of dreams’ they said to one another. ‘Come on, let us kill him and throw him into some well; we can say that a wild beast devoured him. Then we shall see what becomes of his dreams.’

But Reuben heard, and he saved him from their violence. ‘We must not take his life’ he said. ‘Shed no blood,’ said Reuben to them ‘throw him into this well in the wilderness, but do not lay violent hands on him’ – intending to save him from them and to restore him to his father. So, when Joseph reached his brothers, they pulled off his coat, the coat with long sleeves that he was wearing, and catching hold of him they threw him into the well, an empty well with no water in it. They then sat down to eat.

Looking up they saw a group of Ishmaelites who were coming from Gilead, their camels laden with gum, tragacanth, balsam and resin, which they were taking down into Egypt. Then Judah said to his brothers, ‘What do we gain by killing our brother and covering up his blood? Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, but let us not do any harm to him. After all, he is our brother, and our own flesh.’ His brothers agreed.

Now some Midianite merchants were passing, and they drew Joseph up out of the well. They sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty silver pieces, and these men took Joseph to Egypt.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 104(105):16-21 ©

Remember the wonders the Lord has done.

The Lord called down a famine on the land;

he broke the staff that supported them.

He had sent a man before them,

Joseph, sold as a slave.

Remember the wonders the Lord has done.

His feet were put in chains,

his neck was bound with iron,

until what he said came to pass

and the word of the Lord proved him true.

Remember the wonders the Lord has done.

Then the king sent and released him

the ruler of the people set him free,

making him master of his house

and ruler of all he possessed.

Remember the wonders the Lord has done.

Gospel Acclamation

Jn3:16

Praise and honour to you, Lord Jesus!

God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son:

everyone who believes in him has eternal life.

Praise and honour to you, Lord Jesus!

Gospel

Matthew 21:33-43,45-46 ©

This is the landlord's heir: come, let us kill him

Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people, ‘Listen to another parable. There was a man, a landowner, who planted a vineyard; he fenced it round, dug a winepress in it and built a tower; then he leased it to tenants and went abroad. When vintage time drew near he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his produce. But the tenants seized his servants, thrashed one, killed another and stoned a third. Next he sent some more servants, this time a larger number, and they dealt with them in the same way. Finally he sent his son to them. “They will respect my son” he said. But when the tenants saw the son, they said to each other, “This is the heir. Come on, let us kill him and take over his inheritance.” So they seized him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. Now when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?’ They answered, ‘He will bring those wretches to a wretched end and lease the vineyard to other tenants who will deliver the produce to him when the season arrives.’ Jesus said to them, ‘Have you never read in the scriptures:

It was the stone rejected by the builders

that became the keystone.

This was the Lord’s doing

and it is wonderful to see?

‘I tell you, then, that the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.’

When they heard his parables, the chief priests and the scribes realised he was speaking about them, but though they would have liked to arrest him they were afraid of the crowds, who looked on him as a prophet.

TRUSTING IN GOD’S WISDOM AND PLANS FOR US

SCRIPTURE READINGS: [GEN 37:3-4, 12-13, 17-28; PS 105:16-21; MT 21:33-43, 45-46]

I am sure there were many times in our life when our dreams did not materialize. We felt discouraged and even angry with God. We expected our children to do well in their studies but they did not perform up to expectations. We hoped our sons and daughters would get married like everyone else but they ended up with same-sex relationships. Or it could have been our job, when we did so much for the organization, burning our weekends and midnight oil but we were not appreciated or recognized by our bosses. Most of all, when our marriage, relationships or health failed, we were devastated.

This, surely, was the case of Jacob when he lost his beloved son, Joseph, to the conspiracy of his brothers who were jealous of him. He must have been inconsolable to hear of his apparent death. It would also have been true for Joseph as well. He had great dreams of leading his brothers. But when he was thrown into the well, he must have thought that was the end of his life. But thanks to his elder brother, Rueben, his life was spared and he was instead sold to the Midianite merchants. When in Egypt, he was sold to one of Pharaoh’s captain. On hindsight, it was not entirely the fault of the brothers to feel that way. When Jacob practiced favoritism, it could not but have caused the other siblings to be jealous of him. It seems history repeats itself. His father, Isaac, loved Esau more than Jacob. He must have felt second class and so stole the birthright from Esau. What he was angry with, he did the same with his children by favoring Joseph. Again, Joseph himself was also to be blamed because he was boastful, arrogant and over-confident of himself. Surely his brothers would have been annoyed by his pride.

Yet the history of Joseph was a cycle of failures and successes, curses and blessings. Joseph was successful in the house of his Egyptian master. He was made overseer of the house. Unfortunately, his master’s wife fell in love with him. Out of revenge, she accused him of molesting her as he refused to respond to her overtures. Whilst in prison, locked up with the two other prisoners, the cupbearer and baker of Pharaoh, he interpreted their dreams for them. The cup-bearer was eventually released and restored back to the service of the king. It was only two years later that the chief cupbearer remembered Joseph interpreting his dream. This was when Pharaoh had a strange dream and needed an interpreter. He was introduced to Pharaoh and gaining the trust of Pharaoh, he rose to be the second-in-command in the country. Later on, when Canaan was in famine, the family of Jacob, his brothers travelled to Egypt to buy grain. Eventually, Joseph revealed his identity and Jacob and the entire family came to live with him. His dream was eventually fulfilled.

In the gospel, we have a similar situation. The religious leaders were envious of Jesus and felt threatened by Him. He was taking away their audience. Most of all, they saw Him as a deviant of the Jewish tradition. His teachings upset them and their narrow interpretation of the Law of Moses. Hence, they were intent on putting Jesus away. They thought that by killing Jesus, their enemy would be destroyed. Of course they were wrong. By putting Jesus to death, He was raised to life and showed Himself victorious over sin and death. This was the intent of today’s parable of the vineyard. This is more than a parable but an allegory of the religious leaders of Israel who continued to disregard the prophets of God, calling them to repentance and to be responsible leaders. But one after another, the prophets of God were rejected since the time of Solomon. Just as the prophets were killed, so too the Jewish leaders sought to kill our Lord. Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the scriptures: It was the stone rejected by the builders that became the keystone. This was the Lord’s doing and it is wonderful to see?”

Indeed, today’s scripture readings offer us a few points for reflection. God writes straight in cooked lines. He brings good out of evil. The history of Israel, including our history, was never perfect. We do not always walk in the way of the Lord. Whether it was Jacob or Joseph or the siblings of Joseph, they all had their fair share in causing the tragedy to take place. Had they been more responsible and God-fearing, practicing charity and justice, such a situation might not have happened. Yet in spite of their imperfections, conniving and envy, God’s plan was never jeopardized or thwarted. God will turn every obstacle and man’s sins to something good. God will work His way in our lives. What is our mistake is also the stepping stone for growth as well! The mistakes of Jacob, Joseph and his brothers were all used by God to further the fulfillment of salvation for Israel and the whole of humanity.

No one can see the end of their journey, just like Joseph and his brothers. They had to walk by faith, not by sight. They never expected a good ending for their family. Of course, they also did not know that another long tragedy would soon begin after the death of Joseph. As the number of Hebrews grew in strength, the new Pharaoh who did not know Joseph started to persecute them for fear that they might be a threat to the stability of the country. (cf Ex 12:40; Gen 15:13) Again, it was part of the passage to the wilderness to prepare them for entry into the Promised Land when the Kingdom of David was realized.

This means that we are called to cooperate with God’s plan as much as we can in our lives. We will never know what will take place. We can only know by hindsight. When we look at the immediate situation, we can feel discouraged because things do not go the way we planned. We are often nervous and we want to be in control. But God is in control. We have to walk as much as possible the way of God. But being human, we will have our flaws, weaknesses and imperfections. Sometimes, we are short-sighted. Sometimes we are insecure, jealous, and we seek to destroy our competitors. Sometimes we are greedy and ambitious. Indeed, we are as much ruled by sin as by grace. But God’s wisdom is greater than ours. We just have to do our best and God will take care of the rest. St Paul assures us, “We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” (Rom 8:28)

Indeed, God is merciful. He is patient with us. As Jeremiah said to the Babylonian exiles, “I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place. For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.” (Jer 29:10f) Just as He allowed His chosen leaders to fail Him so that He could help them to learn and grow, so too, we should not take ourselves too seriously. Often it is our pride and ego more than just a sense of justice and charity that we are angry with ourselves when we sin or fall. We hate ourselves and we cannot forgive ourselves for the mistakes that we have made. We fail to realize that we are human beings and are on the way to perfection. So long as we are Adam’s children, we will continue to fall into sin because of a fallen nature. Only with the help of God’s grace can we resist sin and live the life of truth and charity.

So instead of condemning ourselves for the mistakes we have made, let us thank God for our mistakes so that He can use them to bring greater good out of them. We can be sure that in the case of Jacob, Joseph and His brothers, they realized their share of the mistakes and hurts they had caused to each other. Eventually, they forgave each other. They let go of their hurts. The brothers asked Joseph for forgiveness and Joseph promised them that he would look after them and their families. (cf Gen 50:15-21) So, too, was the case of Jesus, the son of Joseph. Jesus was betrayed and killed. But His death brought about our share in His resurrection and sonship. His death was the price of our salvation. The continued rejection of Christ is the cause of salvation of the Gentiles, when the kingdom of God will be taken from them and “given to a people who will produce its fruit.” Of course, at the end, Paul believed that the Jews would also come to know Jesus as the Christ.

Tuesday 2 March 2021

ASPIRING TO PUBLIC AND RELIGIOUS OFFICE

20210303 ASPIRING TO PUBLIC AND RELIGIOUS OFFICE

03 March, 2021, Wednesday, 2nd Week of Lent

First reading

Jeremiah 18:18-20 ©

My enemies are digging a pit for me

‘Come on,’ they said, ‘let us concoct a plot against Jeremiah; the priest will not run short of instruction without him, nor the sage of advice, nor the prophet of the word. Come on, let us hit at him with his own tongue; let us listen carefully to every word he says.’

Listen to me, O Lord,

hear what my adversaries are saying.

Should evil be returned for good?

For they are digging a pit for me.

Remember how I stood in your presence

to plead on their behalf,

to turn your wrath away from them.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 30(31):5-6,14-16 ©

Save me in your love, O Lord.

Release me from the snares they have hidden

for you are my refuge, Lord.

Into your hands I commend my spirit.

It is you who will redeem me, Lord.

Save me in your love, O Lord.

I have heard the slander of the crowd,

fear is all around me,

as they plot together against me,

as they plan to take my life.

Save me in your love, O Lord.

But as for me, I trust in you, Lord;

I say: ‘You are my God.

My life is in your hands, deliver me

from the hands of those who hate me.’

Save me in your love, O Lord.

Gospel Acclamation

cf.Jn6:63,68

Glory to you, O Christ, you are the Word of God!

Your words are spirit, Lord, and they are life;

you have the message of eternal life.

Glory to you, O Christ, you are the Word of God!

Or:

Jn8:12

Glory to you, O Christ, you are the Word of God!

I am the light of the world, says the Lord;

anyone who follows me will have the light of life.

Glory to you, O Christ, you are the Word of God!

Gospel

Matthew 20:17-28 ©

They will condemn the Son of Man to death

Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, and on the way he took the Twelve to one side and said to them, ‘Now we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man is about to be handed over to the chief priests and scribes. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the pagans to be mocked and scourged and crucified; and on the third day he will rise again.’

Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came 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.’

ASPIRING TO PUBLIC AND RELIGIOUS OFFICE

SCRIPTURE READINGS: [JER 18:18-20; PS 31:5-6,14-16; MT 20:17-28]

There are people who aspire to public and religious office. Politicians seek to be elected into the government. Others seek office in humanitarian organizations. Some aspire to be priests, religious, or assume positions in religious organizations. Even among priests and religious, some aspire to be parish priests, bishops, cardinals or superiors of their Order, although this is seldom expressed openly but subtly. The truth is that pride and egoism is in us because this is the root of original sin. We all want to be recognized and have power over others. Of course, some seek positions for material motives as well.

The question is, whether it is against Christian virtue to desire leadership positions. The gospel today seems to discourage such an aspiration, as seen in the competitive spirit even among the apostles for glory and power. When James and John hid behind their mother’s request for them to be seated on the left and the right of our Lord when He came into His glory, the other apostles became jealous and resentful.

In the opposite case, we have Jeremiah who was an unwilling prophet. When the Lord commissioned him to be the prophet to the nations, he was reluctant and excused himself for his age and lack of eloquence. “Ah, Lord God! Truly I do not know how to speak, for I am only a boy.” (Jer 1:6) He was aware of the challenges ahead of him if he were to be a prophet. He would have to face persecution from the political and religious authorities; and being misunderstood not just by the people but also by his own family and relatives. As we read in the first reading, because what Jeremiah prophesied was not in agreement with the political and religious authorities, they orchestrated the people to go against him. They said, “Come on, let us concoct a plan against Jeremiah; the priest will not run short of instruction without him, nor the sage of advice, nor the prophet of the word. Come on, let us hit at him with his own tongue; let us listen carefully to every word he says.”

Yet, if everyone is reluctant to assume office and leadership positions, especially those who are capable, the community would be the loser at the end of the day. Indeed, the danger is that there are some who have leadership talents and knowledge but are not willing to sacrifice themselves to assume leadership. As a result, we have incompetent and even corrupt leaders who care only for their self-interests taking up positions of leadership.

In truth, aspiring to leadership is not against the teaching of Christ, provided we feel called to serve the people, and our primary objective is to better the life of the people that are placed under our charge. Jesus was not against those who sought positions of leadership. To choose the apostles means to deputize them as His representatives. It was their motives that the Lord sought to purify. What was wrong, not just of James and John but the rest of the Twelve included, was that they saw leadership in terms of power, control, glory and also tangible benefits when Jesus came to His kingdom.

However, leadership is not just concerned with leading. Having the competency, the charism and eloquence to lead is not enough. Whilst this would be a great asset in commanding respect and support from those under our charge, it is not sufficient. At some point in leadership, decisions have to be made and someone must be responsible for making difficult decisions, especially when opinions differ and no consensus can be found. This is particularly so in a world of relativism, when everyone has his or her own views. Leaders are called to make decisions for the common good. This is where every leader must examine himself.

Leaders are given authority for the sake of service. Jesus reminded the apostles 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.” Authority is given for the service of the community. Indeed, when one is given respect and honor in his office, it is so that what is said or decided would be taken seriously. The authority and respect given is not to boost the person’s ego and prestige but to help him to exercise his office efficiently and carry out his role effectively.

This is why it is important that such authority should not be abused or turned into a personal exaltation. Respect is given for the office rather than the person per se. Because the person holds the office, respect must be given so that the person can fulfill his role. Every leader must never forget that he is called to serve and to make use of his position, his influence and his power to bring the community together and work together for the good of all. Service is the purpose of authority. When a leader is obsessed with his honour and authority, he has forgotten that he is called to serve humbly and selflessly for the greater good of all. For this reason, the privileges of our office are taken away from us when we no longer hold office, simply because we are no longer acting on behalf of the people.

Leadership is all about selfless and humble service. The greatness of a leader is not simply in how he leads the organization forward, create jobs and raise the productivity of the organization, but how he serves the interests and welfare of his staff and their clients. It is all about service. Greater and nobler of course is when that service is not paid for. Jesus made it clear, “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.”

Those who desire to be in leadership with authority must also not forget that power comes with the obligation to exercise it even when one is unpopular. Jeremiah was given the office of prophet. But he was obliged to teach not only those things people liked to hear but also to speak out against injustices, corruption, hypocrisy and oppression, especially those committed by the leaders in the community. The irony of those who are given authority is that often they are afraid to speak the truth for fear of unpopularity. Today, it is not about speaking the truth in plain words but to couch them in such a way that pleases the ears of everyone. As a consequence of our need to be politically correct, we sacrifice the hard truths that must be spoken.

Jeremiah and our Lord did not mince their words. Jeremiah spoke what the Lord had said to him. The Lord commanded him, “you shall go to all to whom I send you, and you shall speak whatever I command you.” (Jer 1:7) So, too, our Lord came to reveal His Father’s love and mercy to all, and was rejected by the religious leaders in His days. Jesus was harsh in His indictment of the religious leaders. He denounced the Scribes and Pharisees for not practicing what they taught, seeking honour and glory, and hypocritical in their observance of the laws. (cf Mt 23) Obviously Jesus, like Jeremiah, earned the wrath of those whom the prophecies were directed against. The ruling religious authorities, including the political institutions, corroborated against Jeremiah and our Lord by inciting public opinion against them. Both were indicted on charges of blasphemy and treason.

This is the reason why the Lord warned the disciples about true leadership. Not only humble and selfless leadership is asked of us but we will be required to drink the cup that the Lord drank at His passion and death. True leadership requires us to be ready to be given as a ransom for the salvation of all. A leader is often misunderstood, criticized unjustly and even ridiculed. But this is the price of true leadership. If a leader is liked by everyone, it could be because he is trying to please everyone so as to be in their good books. It is not about doing the right thing. Rather, a leader must be ready to suffer for truth and love. This is selfless leadership, putting one’s life for the good of others, even giving one’s life as a ransom for many. This was what our Lord and Jeremiah did, preached and served unto death.

Monday 1 March 2021

THE PITFALLS OF ROLE MODELLING

20210302 THE PITFALLS OF ROLE MODELLING

02 March, 2021, Tuesday, 2nd Week of Lent

First reading

Cease to do evil; learn to do good

Hear the word of the Lord,

you rulers of Sodom;

listen to the command of our God,

you people of Gomorrah.

‘Wash, make yourselves clean.

Take your wrong-doing out of my sight.

Cease to do evil.

Learn to do good,

search for justice,

help the oppressed,

be just to the orphan,

plead for the widow.

‘Come now, let us talk this over,

says the Lord.

Though your sins are like scarlet,

they shall be as white as snow;

though they are red as crimson,

they shall be like wool.

‘If you are willing to obey,

you shall eat the good things of the earth.

But if you persist in rebellion,

the sword shall eat you instead.’

Responsorial Psalm

I will show God’s salvation to the upright.

‘I find no fault with your sacrifices,

your offerings are always before me.

I do not ask more bullocks from your farms,

nor goats from among your herds.

I will show God’s salvation to the upright.

‘But how can you recite my commandments

and take my covenant on your lips,

you who despise my law

and throw my words to the winds,

I will show God’s salvation to the upright.

‘You do this, and should I keep silence?

Do you think that I am like you?

A sacrifice of thanksgiving honours me

and I will show God’s salvation to the upright.’

I will show God’s salvation to the upright.

Gospel Acclamation

Mt4:17

Glory and praise to you, O Christ!

Repent, says the Lord,

for the kingdom of heaven is close at hand.

Glory and praise to you, O Christ!

Or:

Ezk18:31

Glory and praise to you, O Christ!

Shake off all your sins – it is the Lord who speaks –

and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit.

Glory and praise to you, O Christ!

Gospel

They do not practise what they preach

Addressing the people and his disciples Jesus said, ‘The scribes and the Pharisees occupy the chair of Moses. You must therefore do what they tell you and listen to what they say; but do not be guided by what they do: since they do not practise what they preach. They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders, but will they lift a finger to move them? Not they! Everything they do is done to attract attention, like wearing broader phylacteries and longer tassels, like wanting to take the place of honour at banquets and the front seats in the synagogues, being greeted obsequiously in the market squares and having people call them Rabbi.

‘You, however, must not allow yourselves to be called Rabbi, since you have only one master, and you are all brothers. You must call no one on earth your father, since you have only one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor must you allow yourselves to be called teachers, for you have only one Teacher, the Christ. The greatest among you must be your servant. Anyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and anyone who humbles himself will be exalted.’

THE PITFALLS OF ROLE MODELLING

SCRIPTURE READINGS: [Isaiah 1:10,16-20; Ps 50:8-9,16-17,21,23; Mt 23:1-12 ]

In the first reading, the Prophet Isaiah condemned the leaders of Israel and the people. He likened them to the “rulers of Sodom” and “people of Gomorrah.” The leaders of Israel, whether, political, community or religious leaders were not carrying their office for the common good of the people. Instead of building an equitable society, they were oppressing the poor, cheating them and taking away their property. Religious leaders were worldly, fostering a hypocritical approach to worship and rituals separated from a life of charity and integrity. Indeed, Isaiah said to the people, “Take your wrong-doing out of my sight. Cease to do evil. Learn to do good, search for justice, help the oppressed, be just to the orphan, plead for the widow.” In the responsorial psalm, God reiterated the necessary relationship between worship and observance of the Covenant. “I find no fault with your sacrifices, your offerings are always before me. I do not ask more bullocks from your farms, nor goats from among your herds. But how can you recite my commandments and take my covenant on your lips, you who despise my law and throw my words to the winds?”

In the gospel, Jesus similarly issued His judgment on the religious leaders of Israel. They were condemned for their hypocrisy. They were seeking publicity, honour and recognition. Indeed, the Lord observed that “everything they do is done to attract attention, like wearing broader phylacteries and longer tassels, like wanting to take the place of honour at banquets and the front seats in the synagogues, being greeted obsequiously in the market squares and having people call them Rabbi.” Nevertheless, the Lord told the people, “The scribes and the Pharisees occupy the chair of Moses. You must therefore do what they tell you and listen to what they say; but do not be guided by what they do: since they do not practise what they preach.”

This dichotomy between the life of a leader and his or her actions is a constant reality among all leaders. It is not surprising to hear of leaders failing in their positions of trust, authority and the expectations of their people. Leaders, regardless whether political, community or even religious, lay or clerical, often fall short of what they say and what they preach. As a result, scandals are caused and people become disillusioned with their leaders. Such scandals today are blown out of proportion because of mass media and social media. Any leader who makes a slip will have his or her mistake publicized to the whole world within seconds and minutes. As a result of the high expectations people have of their leaders today, leaders are no longer respected as in the past. Many are skeptical of their leaders. Truly, the credibility of leaders is at stake.

The truth is that leaders are all called not just to lead by commanding and instructing their followers or subordinates. They are called to be role models. Besides ensuring efficiency in organizing, strategizing, making progress and bringing the organization to a higher level of growth, the other indirect but equally important role of leaders is to lead by example so that others could imitate them. Very often, leaders in the world fail to realize this grave responsibility. Regardless of the leadership roles we play, whether political, social, religious, corporate or even leaders in science, technology, medicine, entertainment, arts, etc, the way we project ourselves, the way we conduct ourselves will have great influence on the lives of our people. Pop stars, singers, actors and actresses, fashion designers, etc. who have a great number of followers and idolaters, are they aware that what they do or say would have a great impact on their fans? Are they promoting authentic love and selflessness in society, or are they endorsing values that are hostile to the promotion of family life, the building of community and faith in God?

Hence, when we read about the religious leaders of Israel during the time of Jesus, particularly the scribes and the Pharisees, what they were doing were not exactly wrong. They were trying to set the standards for true orthodox practices in the faith according to the law of Moses. “Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise. Bind them as a sign on your hand, fix them as an emblem on your forehead, and write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” (Dt 6:6-9) In their attempts to draw attention to the importance of the Word of God, the Pharisees wore especially big phylacteries to demonstrate their obedience and love for the Word of God. Again, isn’t this what we do as well, carrying our bibles around, wearing crosses and crucifixes as ornaments, having them placed on our tables, homes and in front of our doors? But what is the purpose, if not also to remind us of the centrality of the Word of God in our lives or His presence and love for us by dying on the cross.

This demonstration of our faith and our values is also true when it comes to the area of publicity. Is it wrong for religious leaders to express their faith and piety publicly for others to see? Is it wrong for community leaders to demonstrate publicly the social programs that they foster? Is it wrong for us to show the Pope having meals with the poor or celebrating the Eucharist for prisoners? The truth is that if we do not see our leaders doing what they preach, they would have no known mentors. If religious and community leaders were to do everything in secret, our people would have no role models to imitate. As it is said, a picture, or better still, a witnessing of something would leave an impression in our minds more than a thousand words. If we do not see our religious leaders at prayer, leading others to pray, how will our people be inspired to pray as well. Even the disciples became interested to pray only because they saw Jesus “praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.'” (Lk 11:1) So the teaching of Jesus at the Sermon on the Mount cannot be taken too literally regarding the danger of practicing our piety before others, or giving alms and allowing others to know or to pray only in our room in secret. (cf Mt 6:1-6)

This is also valid when it comes to the question of giving our leaders recognition in public spaces, or addressing them in a dignified manner. Do we take literally what Jesus said, “You, however, must not allow yourselves to be called Rabbi, since you have only one master, and you are all brothers. You must call no one on earth your father, since you have only one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor must you allow yourselves to be called teachers, for you have only one Teacher, the Christ.” Certainly, giving reverence and honour to those holding office is to show them respect. Of course, respect and honour should not be dependent on the office but also the conduct of the persons holding that office. At the same time, such titles also remind those who hold such offices to be faithful to the positions that they have been entrusted with by the people or by God. When a priest is called “father”, just as St Paul called himself the father of faith to the Christians (cf 1 Cor 4:15; 1 Tim 1:2), we must remember to act as spiritual father to them. So, too, when we are called “teacher”, then we must be responsible and remember to teach not in our capacity but on behalf of God who is the only teacher.

In the final analysis, it is not what we do or say, or what religious symbols we wear. They are helpful in making a point about what we believe and the values we subscribe to, and affirm our identity as a Christian or a religious leader. This does not make us hypocritical. The ultimate question we must ask is whether such symbols are servants or means to express what we believe in and who we are. The Lord said, “The greatest among you must be your servant. Anyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and anyone who humbles himself will be exalted.” Leaders must be authentic as well, admitting their faults and weaknesses. We should not “tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders” but will not “lift a finger to move them.” Rather, we must be humble role models.