20210302 THE PITFALLS OF ROLE MODELLING
02 March, 2021, Tuesday, 2nd Week of Lent
First reading |
Isaiah 1:10,16-20 © |
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 |
Psalm 49(50):8-9,16-17,21,23 © |
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 | Matthew 23:1-12 © |
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.
Written by The Most Rev William Goh, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Singapore © All Rights Reserved.
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