💖 HOMILY - SEPTEMBER 19 💖

First Reading - 1 Timothy 3:1-13 

Second Reading - Luke 7:11-17

Winston Churchill said in 1906: “Where there is great power there is great responsibility, where there is less power there is less responsibility, and where there is no power there can, I think, be no responsibility.” Leadership brings power and prestige. The leadership also entails a great responsibility. The readings of the day remind us about our responsibility as leaders or guides.

In the first reading, Paul outlines the characteristics for leadership in the community. He sets out number of things that are expected from the president elder and deacons. In short, what Paul expects is that a leader should stand as an example for others. This also can be said in other words that a leader should, in every aspect, be a person that projects gospel values through his life. Paul distinctively puts it that the guidance by leaders should not be confined to mere words but should be seen in their lives too.

The message of Paul comes alive in the action of Jesus. Jesus, as an exemplary leader, demonstrates how he impacted the lives of people through his actions. The gospel narrates the story of compassionate Jesus who feels the despair of the widow after losing her only son. Having filled with compassion, Jesus consoles the widow and raises her son and restores him to her. Jesus exemplifies the best character of a leader who is able to understand and remedy the situation.

Dear friends, we testify a horrifying role of leadership where power is used as a tool for dictatorship and favoritism. The first reading clearly demonstrates that leadership should not for manipulation of power but for guidance. Therefore this must be based on exemplary life of the leader himself or herself. A leader must be an example for others through his or her words and actions.

The second characteristic for a leader must include the nature of Jesus reflected in the gospel that is compassion and sensitivity. Jesus perceives the pain and vulnerability of the widow. A widow, in the olden days, was considered vulnerable because she was dependent on her husband but after the death of her husband she was exposed to vulnerability in terms of security and protection. However, a little hope still remained with her son. In the case of the widow of Nain, she was even deprived of that little hope after the death of her only son. Jesus, filled with compassion for her, consoles her by raising her son. A leader, like Jesus, should be able to see the misery and pain of people and come to their help.

We too exercise our role of leadership in different ways as priests, nuns, ministers, parents, teachers, employers, employees or workers etc. We should remember that this role should not be a tool to manipulate our power but we are asked today to set an example for others as leaders through our lives. On the other side, we are exhorted that we should be able to guide and lead others like Jesus with compassion and sensitivity.

Let's pray that we may exercise our leadership role with responsibly in the vineyard of the Lord.