20220203 GODLY LEADERS ARE COURAGEOUS
03 February, 2022, Thursday, Week 4 in Ordinary Time
First reading |
1 Kings 2:1-4,10-12 © |
David's dying exhortation to Solomon
As David’s life drew to its close he laid this charge on his son Solomon, ‘I am going the way of all the earth. Be strong and show yourself a man. Observe the injunctions of the Lord your God, following his ways and keeping his laws, his commandments, his customs and his decrees, as it stands written in the Law of Moses, that so you may be successful in all you do and undertake, so that the Lord may fulfil the promise he made me, “If your sons are careful how they behave, and walk loyally before me with all their heart and soul, you shall never lack for a man on the throne of Israel.”’
So David slept with his ancestors and was buried in the Citadel of David. David’s reign over Israel lasted forty years: he reigned in Hebron for seven years, and in Jerusalem for thirty-three.
Solomon was seated upon the throne of David, and his sovereignty was securely established.
Responsorial Psalm |
1 Chronicles 29:10-12 © |
You, Lord, are the ruler of all.
May you be blessed, O Lord,
the God of Israel, our father,
for ever, for ages unending!
You, Lord, are the ruler of all.
Yours, Lord, are greatness and power,
and splendour, triumph, and glory.
All is yours, in heaven and on earth.
You, Lord, are the ruler of all.
Yours, Lord, is the kingdom;
you are supreme above all.
Both honour and riches come from you.
You, Lord, are the ruler of all.
You are the ruler of all,
from your hand come strength and power;
from your hand come greatness and might.
You, Lord, are the ruler of all.
Gospel Acclamation | Jn15:15 |
Alleluia, alleluia!
I call you friends, says the Lord,
because I have made known to you
everything I have learnt from my Father.
Alleluia!
Or: | Mk1:15 |
Alleluia, alleluia!
The kingdom of God is close at hand:
repent and believe the Good News.
Alleluia!
Gospel | Mark 6:7-13 © |
'Take nothing with you'
Jesus made a tour round the villages, teaching. Then he summoned the Twelve and began to send them out in pairs giving them authority over the unclean spirits. And he instructed them to take nothing for the journey except a staff – no bread, no haversack, no coppers for their purses. They were to wear sandals but, he added, ‘Do not take a spare tunic.’ And he said to them, ‘If you enter a house anywhere, stay there until you leave the district. And if any place does not welcome you and people refuse to listen to you, as you walk away shake off the dust from under your feet as a sign to them.’ So they set off to preach repentance; and they cast out many devils, and anointed many sick people with oil and cured them.
GODLY LEADERS ARE COURAGEOUS
SCRIPTURE READINGS: [1 KGS 2:1-4, 10-12; 1 CHRON 29:10-12; MK 6:7-13]
Both scripture readings today are instructions on shepherding. In the first reading, we have King David laying down his final instructions to Solomon who had succeeded him. David was now an old man lying in bed, weak and feeble. His days were ending. And so, he felt the need to give some instructions to the young King so that the kingdom would continue to be prosperous, united, secure and lasting. The king in those days was seen as the anointed one of God. He was to act in the place of God in guiding, protecting and uniting His people. But to do that, the king had to be in communion with God, taking orders and instructions from Him.
Hence, we must ask what charge David laid on his son Solomon. “I am going the way of all the earth. Be strong and show yourself a man.” What does it take to be strong and be a man? Surely, it could not only mean physical strength, courage and fortitude in dealing with one’s opponents and enemies or achievements and power over others. What David meant was godly manhood, and the rest of the virtues of manhood would follow. Accordingly, he elaborated what it took to be strong. “Observe the injunctions of the Lord your God … that so you may be successful in all you do and undertake.” The invitation to be strong is to be steadfast mentally, physically, and spiritually, (Dt 31:7, 23) and to act manfully.
It is obedience to God’s word that makes a man, especially a leader, godly. This explains why David instructed his son to walk in God’s ways which are found in “his laws, his commandments, his customs and his decrees, as it stands written in the Law of Moses.” It is not wrong for a leader to be ambitious but a leader must put all his pursuits in the right perspective. This is why a leader must be connected with God, always inquiring from Him the decisions that He is making. Solomon’s kingship had to be founded on God’s word, His laws and His instructions. He was not to be a rule unto himself because God’s law is above him. He was after all ruling the people on behalf of God. Indeed, the promise of God to David was that “If your sons are careful how they behave, and walk loyally before me with all their heart and soul, you shall never lack for a man on the throne of Israel.”
We, too, as leaders must be guided by God’s word at every step in our leadership. This is the surest way to know that we are ruling with wisdom, in truth and in compassion. The psalmist says, Happy are those whose “delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law, they meditate day and night. They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper.” (Ps 1:2f) It does not mean we will not suffer but we will experience His blessings in other ways, empowering us, enriching us and helping us to be fruitful in our vocation. The Lord Himself has assured us, “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock.” (Mt 7:24) Jesus also told His disciples, “You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me.” (Jn 15:3f)
But what ultimately defines that we are doing God’s work is when we express our lives in humble and selfless service. It is significant that St Paul, after urging the Christians to be strong, urged them to demonstrate it in love. “Keep alert, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.” (1 Cor 16:13) When we do everything for the good of others without self-interests, we know that we are doing God’s words and His works. This is what it means to walk before the Lord in truth and in charity. This is what walking wisely entails. When we conduct our life before the Lord, God will walk with us.
In this context, the gospel shows us concretely what shepherding involves. Firstly, they were told to preach the gospel of repentance. It calls for a turning away from sin and turning to the Lord. Proclaiming the gospel will be met with persecution because few would be welcoming of the call to repentance. Most would react when we say things that threaten their lukewarm faith or challenge their convenient lifestyles. No one wants to be told that they are wrong because people are individualistic and self-righteous. Proclaiming the Word may invite those who are threatened to destroy us. Being messengers of truth will not always earn us praise but often criticisms and threats of death.
Secondly, it is better that we work as a team. Jesus sent out the apostles two by two to proclaim the truth about Jesus and the gospel. They were to go as servants. They must be humble to depend on each other and not think they could do this work alone. When they suffer together, it is much easier than to suffer alone. This is much safer and wiser because they would be amongst wolves. Lone rangers are easy preys of the Evil One. When under attack, they would be stronger if they are supported by each other. They were not to compromise their message even if it brought rejection and persecution. Only when they work together, could they face their persecutors with courage.
Thirdly, Jesus gave the apostles His authority. To assume office, we must be appointed. We cannot appoint ourselves and give authority to ourselves. Authority is given by God, or by His people. The apostles were appointed representatives of Christ and therefore shared in His authority over demons and unclean spirits. That is why they are called apostles, to be sent, to be ambassadors for Christ. As shepherds we, too, do not own the sheep but are shepherds after the heart of Christ. We speak and act not on our own authority but always in the name of Christ. As leaders, we must be conscious that we do not usurp the place of God and impose our views on doctrinal and moral issues on His sheep. We can only speak what the Lord has instructed us. In other words, as David reminded Solomon, we must be obedient to His Word and carry out what the Word instructs us to do.
Fourthly, this authority is not merely juridical authority. It must include personal authority displayed in one’s conduct and lifestyle. This explains why they were to travel lean, and only with the essentials. All non-essentials must be left behind partly because the mission was urgent and they had to travel light; and partly because they had to show themselves to be totally dependent on the Lord for everything, His divine providence, as much as they depended on His Word in proclaiming the gospel. The emphasis is faith in God alone. True service and mission of the apostles draw from Jesus’ authority and God’s providence alone. The apostles had to learn to trust in Jesus and God who would meet their needs. (cf Phil 4:19) Consequently, they were to take nothing with them except a staff for them to lean on when they travelled far and for protection from wild animals.
Fifthly, the Good News is never imposed on others who are not receptive. Although, the messengers of the Good News must exercise their authority to preach the gospel of repentance, they do not impose on their listeners. Jesus told the apostles to stay where they were welcomed and to share the Good News with them; but to move on when the people rejected them. In the final analysis, it is their personal responsibility and they will face the judgment of God. On our part as shepherds and missionaries of Christ, we have done our part and we should have a clear conscience.
Finally, the gospel is not merely words or a call to repentance. It is an invitation to receive integral healing from God, not just spiritually but emotionally and spiritually. “They set off to preach repentance; and they cast out many devils, and anointed many sick people with oil and cured them.” Spiritual repentance should also bring about a corresponding healing of the mind and heart and even the body. We are set free to love and to serve in return. When we obey the injunctions of the Lord, we will be strong in the Lord.
Written by The Most Rev William Goh, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Singapore © All Rights Reserved.
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