29th SUNDAY, YEAR B: REFLECTION BY FR. JULIAN EKEH

THEME: SERVANT LEADERSHIP: THE SOLUTION TO POWER PROBLEMS IN OUR WORLD

(Mark 10:35–45)

In a world where power and influence has eaten deep into the bone marrow of many, we are invited to ponder on the ideal sense of leadership, the true sense of power and indeed the right definition of the leader as a minister. Jesus looks into and addresses those who come to lead in the Society, in the Church, in the Community, in the various organizations and in the Unions to see if they are coming to lead or to Lord.

There is no peace in our world today, no harmony and understanding, no development and progress in our States, in Igbo land, in Nigeria, in Africa and other parts of the globe at large because people have come to power with no genuine intentions. Why do you aspire to be on the top? Is an underlying question today.

JAMES AND JOHN; POLITICAL ASPIRANTS

Was their intention genuine? James and John represent the elites who aspire for one political position or the other. They see themselves as “born to lead”, they want to be very close to the corridors of power. They want the best positions. They wish to count themselves or be counted before others. They desire to be the ‘primus inter paris’ in their assembly.

This desire of theirs is not evil in itself. Someone must be at the top. Someone must occupy those positions they eyed. There must always be a leader for any organization to thrive. Why this aspiration? What will they do with this power when they get it? These are the questions. If the intention is to better the life of others, then it is good. If the intention is to bring lasting solution to the plights of their people, it is commendable. If the glamour is for the power not to enter into wrong and wicked hands, then it is wonderful. If the longing to rule is to use the spirit of Christ to save the people from crisis, it is noble. If the quest is to deliver a generation from degeneration, it must be encouraged. If it is to restore the true sense of the sacred and values erroneously redefined by the secular world, then our Lord will be happy.

Why are our leaders and leadership aspirants clamouring for votes and supports? Why have they refused to leave the office even at the end of their tenures? Is it not to amass wealth for themselves and their families? Is it not to use the powers in the office they occupy to deal unjustly with their enemies, opponents, and critics of their evil deeds?

IT SHALL NOT BE SO AMONG YOU

Jesus observed with disgust that His disciples were inordinately desirous of power and honour. He spoke to their hearts: “You know that those who are supposed to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you”

It shall not be so among you that you use your authority to impoverish the society. It shall not be so among you that you favour some people and maltreat others. It shall not be so among you that after condemning the excesses of past administrations, you go in and do worse. It should never be so among you that when you get the opportunity to take your people to their promised land, you betray them and sell their birth right over a plate of porridge. It should not be said of you that you use the blood of your people to lubricate your throne.

THE FIRST MUST BE SLAVE OF ALL

Jesus asked James and John: Are you able to drink the chalice that I drink…? They said to Him: “We are able.” This chalice is the chalice of service. It is the chalice of suffering. It is the chalice of thinking about the other person. It is the chalice of sleeplessness for the common good. Jesus says, “whoever wants to be great among you must be slave of all. For the son of man came to serve and not to be served, and give His life as a ransom to many.”

If politicians and leaders at different levels should know this truth concerning service and ministering, they will stop seeing leadership as a lucrative business that pays. They will think more about the service, the sacrifice, and the self-donation that is involved in leading the people.

LET’S BE IN COMPETITION TO LOVE AND SERVE

Unhealthy competition among the leaders and the led has set our people back so much. Destructive criticisms have done so much harm to us. Leaders should learn to complement the good work of their fellow leaders. The ‘led’ should appreciate their efforts when they are sincere.

If we can direct our competitions well, we shall make out something good from them. We will compete about who will love the other more and not be unnecessarily indignant about our fellow human beings. We will be at their service when the opportunity calls for that. May God bless His word in our hearts.

LET US PRAY

Heavenly Father, we thank you for revealing to us that humble service and sincere collaboration is the secret of greatness. Bless our world with this word and heal us from the cancer of bad governance that we are suffering through Christ our Lord. Amen

Happy Sunday (29th Week, Ordinary Time, Yr. B)

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh