by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI
Our world needs leaders who are caring/compassionate. Such characteristics are usually found in individuals who see themselves as “servant-leaders.” Today’s Gospel reading (Mark 6:30-34) highlights this fact. In Mark 6:7-13 Jesus had sent the 12 disciples on mission. After preaching, anointing and healing the sick, they rejoined Him.
A discerning leader is empathetic and is aware of the needs of others. Jesus recognised that the disciples needed to rest. He took them by boat to a place where they could be by themselves. Note his compassion when he saw the large crowd that had gathered near the shore. “He took pity on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he set himself to teach them at some length.”
In our world today billions of people are in need of good shepherds/ leaders who are prepared to serve selflessly; to use their God-given gifts to build the common good; to promote justice, peace and the integrity of creation.
Each of us is a leader in our own sphere of influence. Like the disciples, we may get tired in our missionary work, but let us nourish ourselves with the Eucharist. On July 9, Pope Francis said at the opening Mass for Bolivia’s national Eucharistic Congress that the Eucharist is the supreme act of blessing — of thanksgiving and transformation. It is “a sacrament of communion, which draws us out of our individualism in order to live together as disciples. It gives us the certainty that all that we have, all that we are, if it is taken, blessed and given, can, by God’s power, by the power of his love, become bread of life for all.” Catholics must be people of “encounter and a genuine solidarity.” Partaking in the Eucharist “demands the logic of love.” (CNS)
Before he left La Paz, he said to civil leaders at the Cathedral: “It is so easy for us to become accustomed to the atmosphere of inequality all around us, with the result that we take it for granted. Without even being conscious of it, we confuse the ‘common good’ with ‘prosperity,’ especially when we are the ones who enjoy that prosperity. Prosperity understood only in terms of material wealth has a tendency to become selfish, to defend private interests, to be unconcerned about others, and to give free rein to consumerism.” The common good, he said, is moving from thinking about “what is best for me” to “what is best for everyone.” It embraces everything that brings people together, “common purpose, shared values, ideas which help us to look beyond our limited individual horizons.” (CNS)
These are the words of a visionary leader who cares. May his passion be contagious.
In our Archdiocese we also have a loving, caring shepherd – Archbishop Harris, whose vision is leading the Faithful to go out on mission. Let us pray for his speedy recovery. He has asked Fr Matthew and me to host Shepherd’s Corner over the next few weeks – focusing specifically on Pope Francis’ second encyclical –Laudato Si’: Praised be to you: On the care of our common home, which was released on June 18. Families, schools, parishes should make arrangements to study this wide-ranging encyclical.
On Shepherd’s Corner, on Thurs July 2, Fr John Persaud shared information on the Introduction and on Ch.1: What is happening to our common home?
On Thurs July 9, Fr Matthew and I focused on Ch. 2: The Gospel of Creation, and on Thurs July 16, Mikkel Trestrail and I shared on the Holy Father’s words of wisdom in Ch. 3: The human roots of the ecological crisis. On Thurs July 23, Shenelle Boyce (Catholic Voices) and I will focus on Ch 4: Integral Ecology. Listen/view/call in when the programme is aired on TCN/Channel 10 from 8 to 9 p.m.
Let us pray that the Holy Father will inspire world leaders to care for humanity/creation; listen to the cry of the poor and the cry of the earth; act courageously to pull us back from the brink of destruction and save our planet. This is an encyclical of hope. Let us pray also for a conversion of hearts, minds and lifestyles so that we will develop right relationships with God, neighbour, self and creation.
