RBWords

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2013  ST. PIUS X, pope

     These words from the Book of Judges are sometimes amusingly quoted among Dominicans when we are getting ready to elect a local prior.  A community may inquire with a number of brothers whether in the house or outside to see if they are "open" to election.  [Their "openness" or not is not supposed to matter, but it does because houses don't want to have more than one election in case of a refusal!]  The reality today is that very few want to take on the responsibility of being a local superior, or "prior" as we Dominicans call him.  The responses to the inquiries are not much different than the ones given by the trees in the fable from Judges today.  [Read the whole thing!] 

 

     In the fable from Judges today, the best of the trees refuse responsibility, so the thorn bush gets the nod and the results are nasty.  Abimelech is a disaster.  The "flight from responsibility" often leaves the "power-hungry" or the incompetent to take the reins of leadership.  The stress and cost of offering oneself in service drive many good potential leaders away, often leaving extremists or narcissists in the field.  In the case of important positions in the judiciary, the best candidates are often unwilling to leave comfortable careers for a lesser salary and public spotlight!  The current process of vetting federal judges is grueling.  Pope Francis has told his official representatives, the nuncios, not to send him the names of"career men" but pastors as potential bishops!

 

     My own three year term as prior of my local community is about half over.  I can say truthfully that I asked the brothers not to elect me.  When they ignored that request, I had a decision to make.  I accepted the election in tears, knowing that it would add stress and responsibility that would complicate my itinerant preaching ministry.  With the good help and cooperation of the community, the task has not been as difficult as it could be, but I'll have another decision to make in 2015!  I'll have to read today's passage from the Book of Judges and think about it.  Perhaps many potential leaders in church or society should!  AMEN