Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk

25^th Sunday of the Year, B – September 23, 2018.

Readings: Wisdom 2:12.17-20; Ps 53:3-6,8; James 3:16-4:3; 

Gospel – Mark 9:30-37.

Theme: Servant Leadership: Model for all Christians!

Introduction

Beloved in Christ, today we are presented with the suffering servant who embraces servant leadership for the sake of humanity. Our liturgy points to bearing the brunt of this life for the sake of others as a prerequisite for the kingdom. Our reflection titled, “Servant Leadership: Model for all Christians” explores the readings for spiritual and practical insights by examining the various kinds of leadership there are with the view to using servant leadership as the modeled kind of leadership for all Christians.     

Background & Summary of the Readings

The first reading (Wisdom 2:12.17-20) recounts how the wicked prepare to ambush the just man. It reveals that the wicked carry out this plan because the ways of the righteous annoys them for the simple reason that he reproaches them for their breaches of the law. They plot to see how the good man will end. They dare the divine saying, we will see if God would rescue him. The wicked even use cruelty and torture as instruments of blackmail. As if that is not enough, they exploit the gentleness of the righteous intending to put his endurance to the proof. They take advantage of his assurances of divine help by condemning him to a shameful death. The reading is indicative of the suffering servant who lays his for his sheep.

The second reading (James 3:16-4:3) warns about jealousy and vain ambition. It attributes rancour and disharmony to lack of wisdom which comes from above and compassion which seeks after good. It notes that selfish ambition is responsible for unanswered prayers since those prayers were ill-motivated.

In the Gospel (Mark 9:30-37), Jesus cautions his disciples about seeking places of honour. Accordingly, he reveals his passion by redirecting their attention to servant leadership as the model kind of leadership which is other-oriented and embraces suffering for the good of all. He uses childlike simplicity to challenge all to embrace the kingdom by seeking to serve all.  

Common Types of Leadership

There are about 9 types of leadership or governance. However, we shall consider only three in the light of our readings:

a). Despotic (Authoritarian) Leadership: Despotic leadership is an autocratic kind of governance in which the leader either comes into power by force or usurps power through the barrel of the gun. The authoritarian leader exercises absolute control, makes all decisions, cannot be questioned. He or she derives authority from power which he uses to control state apparatus and is dictatorial, despotic and tyrannical. What readily comes to mind here is the hangover of authoritarian regimes in Latin America, Asia and Africa.

Despotic governance is often associated with military interventions in democratically-run states as was the case in Nigeria for many years. Most times, these governments are called juntas since power is snatched and these despots are referred to as rulers not leaders. These kinds of rulerships are run by military decrees. Military humanitarianism in this mould are known for self-styled kangaroo military-courts where both defaulting civilian and members of the rank and file of the armed forces are haphazardly tried and condemned to death. The days of General Ibrahim Babangida and Sani Abacha were replete with cases of abuse and deaths. The deaths of Abiola and his wife, Kudirat, Ken Saro Wiwa come to mind.

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo which was renamed Zaire in 1971, the military dictator Mobutu Sese Seko who was described by Times Magazine as the “archetypal African Dictator” presided over his country for 32 years. He was known for notorious corruption, nepotism, human rights violation and embezzlement of public funds to the tune of 15 billion dollars. He claimed to be Jesus and his mother was the Virgin Mary and mandated that their pictures be displayed in all institutions. He also called himself “the Messiah” and “the Redeemer.” He was expelled by Laurent Kabila and died of prostate cancer three months later in Morocco.

  

b). Secular (Democratic) Leadership:  Standing on the shoulders of Abraham Lincoln, democratic leadership is simply government of the people, by the people and for people which runs on the lungs of the constitution. As a representative form of government, its cardinal principles include, ensuring the security of lives and property, basic freedom of all citizens including that of the press, making consultations, building consensus, holding frequent elections, provision of social amenities as well as human capacity building and facilitating economic development towards the betterment of society. Can our country boast of people in leadership committed to these ideals? Well let’s go to South Africa and pick Africa’s finest democrat.

Nelson Mandela who was South Africa’s first democratically elected President who served from 1994 to 1996 was in three prisons for 27 years because of his role in the antiapartheid crusade would turn around to forgive his incarcerators by establishing a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to not only investigate human rights abuses but integrate the nation. As president, he was fair to all by concentrating on combating poverty and HIV/AIDS through the Nelson Mandela Foundation and became an elder statesman. Today, Madiba which means “Father of the Nation” is remembered as an icon of democracy and social justice in Africa who not only received more than 250 honours but clinched the Noble Peace Prize and enjoys cult personality because of the democratic ethos he stood for.  

b). Religious (Ecclesiastical) Leadership: This is church governance. The Catholic Church runs a patriarchal government. Christ is its head and the Pope, its visible leader who together with the college of bishops around the world, exercises the Petrine roles of teacher, sanctifier and ruler. In collaboration with their bishops, priests exercise the sacerdotal ministry for God and the Church and for the salvation of souls. By virtue of their baptism, religious and the laity also form the people of God and bring their lives to bear in the life of the Church. Lumen Gentium Nos. 25, 26 and 27 all point to servant leadership as the model kind of leadership which comes from the Master himself. The Catechism of the Catholic Church, CCC No. 896 insists that the Good shepherd is the model for all pastors of souls. Although the Church is not a democracy, she uses the principle of subsidiarity as well as democratic means in running her affairs. The election of the Pope by eligible Cardinals is a case in point; so is the selection of bishops for local churches and election of officials into the church council or various pious societies at parish levels. Most times, the Church uses the consultative means in most matters as against the despotic or democratic models.

Religious (Ecclesiastical) leadership turns our gaze to Jesus. This brings us to servant leadership which is the model kind of leadership epitomised by Christ. By his life and teaching, Christ was a servant leader par excellence. The dramatic washing of his disciple’s feet and the teaching that followed on Holy Thursday has remained a metaphor for service in the Church. Religious (ecclesiastical) leadership entails that:

1.                  The leader exercises authority on behalf of the people; 

2.                  Allows participatory and sometimes collective decision making;

3.                  Is accountable to the people and accepts constructive criticism;

4.                  Is not self-seeking but exists to serve the people;

5.                  Gets support by influencing people, not through coercion (Ngara, 2004, p. 51).

In Jesus, we see a leader who had vision and purpose, one who walked his talk, one who demonstrated commitment through courage and tenacity and a leader with good management skills. Religious (ecclesiastical) leadership, therefore, is a torch that illuminates self and others in the way of humility and suffering humiliation for the sake of others. It is self-emptying and an exemplary style of leadership that taps from Christ’s meek nature to enrich others. It situates the priest, religious or bishop in perspective for learning from the school of Christ.  In this regard, Church leaders are supposed to be luminaries or exemplars to secular leaders.

Pastoral Application & Practical Lessons

1. Whenever you face heartbreak as a result of dejection or betrayal, remember that Jesus suffered more on Calvary when he poured his life’s blood for your sake.

2. Our liturgy reminds us that traitors are still very much with us which calls for eternal vigilance and prayer instead of being scandalised when we suffer such.

3. Those who kill to ascend to positions of power or amass wealth should remember that God’s judgment awaits them.

4. Christians who have been praying without God answering their prayers should check the motive behind such prayers. 

5. Jesus’ revelation of his passion to his disciples reveals that genuine leadership entails suffering and sacrifice.

6. Servant leadership, the model kind of leadership which is other-oriented reminds all leaders especially ecclesiastical leaders to model their lives to that of Christ who came to serve and not to be served but give his life as a ransom for many (Matthew 20:28).

7.  Christians are charged to embrace the values of the kingdom with childlike simplicity if they must make heaven.

8. Fathers must be seen to help their wives in house chores as one of my teachers in secondary school was fond of doing, if they must take a lesson in servant leadership.    

  

Homiletic Points to Remember

1. Today we are presented the suffering servant who embraces servant leadership for the sake of humanity.

2. Our liturgy points to bearing the brunt of this life for the sake of others as a prerequisite for the kingdom.

3. The [first] reading is indicative of the suffering servant who lays his for his sheep.

4. The second reading (James 3:16-4:3) warns about jealousy and vain ambition.

5. In the Gospel (Mark 9:30-37), Jesus cautions his disciples about seeking places of honour.

Conclusion

As children, youths and adults, we are challenged to seek after the welfare of others if we want our Church and society to change. All those who occupy leadership positions in the Church or larger society must ensure that servant leadership is the model kind of leadership they are called to embrace. All despotic regimes in Africa must have a rethink. In case political office holders are confused, Nelson Mandela has demystified democratic leadership from rocket science to what is practically doable. Church leaders must continually show direction in terms of servant leadership otherwise, the church would lose its moral voice. May God help us all. Amen. Happy Sunday!