LEADERSHIP
Our year is almost over and as we move through November everything around us begins to direct our attention to school holidays, end of year functions and finally Christmas. The liturgical year is also drawing to a close and we have only a couple more gospel readings from Matthew who still has some important words for us.
This weekend is all about leadership and not letting the head overrule the heart. The first reading from Malachi criticises the priests for their attitude and behaviour. Malachi tells the priests they need to ‘find it in your heart to glorify my name, says the Lord of hosts’. Malachi’s message for us is that our faith should not be driven by the thinking in our heads but needs to come from our hearts. This will always lead us to act with compassion.
The second reading, the letter from St Paul shows Paul as a kind caring parent to the Thessalonians. Paul is warm and affectionate and complimenting the Thessalonians for taking God’s message into their hearts not just using their heads.
Matthew’s gospel dives deeper into the leadership message. Jesus reiterates the position of leadership of the scribes and pharisees telling the people ‘You must … do what they tell you and listen to what they say’. But then he says ’but do not be guided by what they do since they do not practice what they preach’. The words of Jesus are direct and unequivocal, and he has further criticism of their behaviour accusing them of acting simply to gain attention and being too interested in the trappings of leadership.
What does this say for us today? We too need to listen to the words of Jesus and to heed the warning to be careful that we are not saying one thing and then doing the opposite. Our faith and actions should come from our hearts, prompted by compassion and love for those around us. This does not mean God expects us to be perfect, but we are asked to be genuine, honest, and authentic with ourselves, those around us and with God.
We are called to follow Jesus, to listen to his word and let those words lead us to serve others rather than being served. This was the example set for us by Jesus throughout his life here on earth.
Jane Kelly
