Not power but humble service

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today are present at the same time as we try to understand some of the why associated with the massacre of young people in Norway. The lesson of leadership in the Kingdom of God is the theme of the text from Matthew’s Gospel on the feast day for St James. Jesus shows James and John the model of leadership is in humble service. The leader gives all to others in service. The ideal of western democracy is that the people choose their leaders. The best leaders in democratic history have served. The young people who were so viciously attacked were beginning to experience the path of democratic leadership. Paul addresses the Corinthians on the topics of affliction, confusion, persecution and attack. The power which assures that none of these evils will prevail is the power of our intimate relationship to the Divine as the Body of Christ. In our earthly ‘servant-leadership’ we activate the will of God and like Jesus are invited to be the model of leadership which will be inspiration to all people. We call out today with the deep need and certainty of help of the psalmist. “Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like the watercourses in the Negeb. May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy. Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, carrying their sheaves.”