Word to the Wise
Tuesday, March 2, 2010 - Tuesday in the Second Week of Lent
[Isaiah 1:10, 16-20 and Matthew 23:1-12]The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
It is difficult to remain faithful to a cause that is dear to one when the leadership is unworthy of respect. Church leadership in this country has, fairly or not, learned that lesson painfully in the recent sex abuse crisis. But a crisis of that magnitude is not needed to make the point! Leaders who are more concerned with protecting their privileges and gaining prestige are abundant. We elect them to congress every couple of years or appoint them to high office in church or state. Jesus takes dead aim at this in today's gospel scripture. He points out that the scribes and Pharisees hold an important position, thus showing he is not attacking the Law of Moses. He goes after the hypocrisy of the religious leaders. His words echo those of Ezekiel 34 where the "shepherds of Israel" are brought to severe account for their failures. Right now, the Catholic bishops of Ireland are feeling that accountability acutely! But they are not alone by any means! One wants leaders to be, first of all, good examples. They should have moral integrity and faith and identity with the cause for which they were chosen to be leaders. At the same time, they deserve our support and compassion in meeting the stresses and demands which are often overwhelming. Good leadership is not a matter of prestige and privilege. It is a matter of service which leads to true honor. A copy of Jesus' words today should be prominently displayed in every public office, rectory and diocesan chancery. AMEN
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