March 2
Readings – IS 1:10, 16-20; MT 23:1-12
I love the line from Isaiah where God says, “Come now, let us set things right!” The bible is ever about action and this is a wonderful Lenten mantra and reminder. Identify what isn’t right and get to work remedying it! I know it’s not always that easy, but the sentiment is something I hope we hold on to.
Then in the gospel, Jesus talks about something that needs to be set right – the behavior of the religious leaders. He counsels his followers to be wary of leadership that talks a good game but doesn’t live it. The principles that they espouse sound good, but what they do with them is suspect.
Sound familiar?
Jesus was not fond of leaders who did very little to actually help people yet loved titles and public attention. He then counsels his followers not to get caught into titles, status and being elevated by others. God alone is the senior rabbi, senior teacher and senior professor. Period. Everyone else is at the same level and, in fact, is called to serve the others. This flies in the face of many of our highly competitive, hierarchical systems.
Robert Greenleaf introduced the words “servant leadership” in his 1970 essay with the idea that the leader tries to keep focused on whether those who are being led grow as persons. Do they – under that leader – become wiser, freer and more whole? And what effect does the leader have on those who are “least” in society? Greenleaf also listed specific qualities associated with a servant leader. They include: listening and understanding; acceptance and empathy; foresight; awareness and perception; persuasion; conceptualization; self-healing; and rebuilding community.
Perhaps for today, as we think about leaders in our midst and our own leadership (at whatever level), maybe we can strive to become more of a servant-leader and help to build the beloved community.
7 Comments
Marie Peterson
I love
Love love this Mike. Thankyou for this at just the right time.
Marie Peterson
Mike Boucher Author
Thanks, Marie. Glad you are along with us!
Karen Vargas
Thank you Mike. Relating this to daily life and wishing your family well as always. Hi from the Vargas and Blood families to the Boucher and Starpoli families. Making progress is a good struggle!🌎
Mike Boucher Author
thanks for the note, Karen! Wishing your family well also. So glad you’re on the journey with us and I agree that ‘making progress is a good struggle.’
Barbara Simmons
Your commentary is a good reminder that leadership does not mean power over people. It means being a guide and leading people in the right direction to attain a goal. As Christians if we start with our children and teach them only one New Testament verse, “…whatever you did for the least of my brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” it would be a good example of how to live our lives. As long as we understand that the least does not mean less valuable. All persons are of equal value. It simply means that some people are vulnerable, be it economically, socially, etc. That’s the key. No one in power has the right to oppress people. Sadly, in our society power is a so often abused. I love the qualities of a servant leader that Greenleaf lists. Thanks for this, Mike.
Mike Boucher Author
Barb, as always, your reflections really get to heart of the matter. Thanks for articulating it so plainly. And I love your naming that the “least” has nothing to do with value. Such an important distinction. I appreciate that you offer thoughts almost every day. I truly learn from all that people are writing and love the contributions.
Francene C McCarthy
We are so blessed to have so many servant leaders as part of our Spiritus Community. Thanks for being one of them, Mike
Blessings, Fran
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