RBWords

     "Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown," is one of the many lines from Shakespeare that has found its way into common parlance. [Henry IV, Part 2].  It is commonly applied to the stresses and challenges of leadership.  Nowadays, in our Church, one might substitute "mitre" for "crown!"  The challenge may lie in how one defines "crown."  Does it mean leadership?  Does it mean power?  Does it mean "ruler?"  The chief priests and the Pharisees exercised considerable power over the religious and social life of Jews in Jesus' time.  The scribes had the power of knowledge of the law and the ability to read.  The gospels are filled with Jesus' criticism of the way in which these factions exercised their leadership and power.  The parable in today's gospel scripture makes that criticism abundantly clear.

     Those who exercise leadership in our own Church have interpreted their positions in many ways.  One has only to compare the last five popes, or the last five bishops of a diocese, or last five pastors of a parish!  Each of them would have to account to God and the Body of Christ for their "legacy" of leadership.  On a personal level, I have had to serve as Vicar of the provincial superior of our province several times.  I have also had to serve a local community as their elected "prior" three times. I have had to serve numerous campus ministries and a parish as director/pastor. I can only say it can make one's head very uneasy!  The internal resistance to some of Pope Francis' efforts to decentralize decision-making, involve more laity (especially women) and make the Church better at serving shows how entrenched power can get.  The Chief Priests, the Pharisees, the scribes and the elders in Jerusalem put together a cabal to get rid of Jesus.  But we are the continuance of his mission to preach the gospel and call any authority to account when it fails to do the same.  AMEN