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Exploring the word

26 Dec 2010 - Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, Cycle A

LEADERSHIP SKILLS ARE desirable qualities. Girls’ and boys’ clubs promise to develop them. From academic programs to the armed forces, turning lemmings into leaders is a constant theme. We need people to take the lead in families, church, the local community, and government. It raises the question: If being a leader is so important, why do we need followers? Shouldn’t we just transform everyone into a self-propelled leader and let it go at that? If so, we’d have to skirt around that mantra in the gospels: Come follow me. Jesus invites his crew to fish but also to follow. They will lead others but follow their Teacher. That suggests that while we do need every good leader we can get and should cultivate leadership skills in children, we also have to develop their “followership” skills. Discipleship, as it’s more normally called, requires it. What does that have to do with the Feast of the Holy Family? Plenty, as the gospel unfolds. This week Joseph is once more our protagonist, and again the righteous man shows us that following divine guidance is the wisest course—not to mention the route to survival. Joseph’s actions are never the obvious choice: Many would not have married the girl, fled to Egypt, or returned to the danger zone afterwards. Joseph doesn’t reason things out: He trusts in God. He’s a grand follower. And as we learn in Luke’s version of the story, Mary’s not so bad herself when it comes to knowing how to balance self-determination with resting in God’s counsel. She does one at Cana and the other at the Annunciation. She’ll have to do both, grimly, at the cross. Though it may be strange to think of Jesus as a follower, his moral compass pointed to the true north of God’s will and not his own—right up to that final hour in the garden of Gethsemane. We come to appreciate that there is no genuine leadership without dedicated followership first. Even a leader needs to know where he or she is going. That requires a map, a star, a compass—or a Higher Power the leader must consult and to whom he or she must finally consent to bow. The leader who refuses to follow any authority higher than himself or herself has a fool for a guide. Sirach reminds us of the interdependence of generations: First, elders lead children and later are led by them in the natural order of things (another reason to teach the children well!). The Letter to the Colossians offers love as the best needle pointing in the right direction. Those who walk the path of love will not be lost. Related scripture links Fourth Commandment: Exod. 20:12; Deut. 5:16; Mark 10:19; Matt. 19:19; Luke 18:20; Rom. 13:9 Paul and subordination: Rom. 13:1-10; 1 Cor. 7:3-4, but also 11:3-12; Eph. 4:11-16, 5:21-6:9 Subordination in creation: Gen. 1:26-31, 3:14-19 Catechism links Jesus' early life: CCC 525-534 Binding virtues: CCC 1827-1829 Family: CCC 2197-2233

Authors Alice Camille

Leadership followers discipleship

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The inner word

20 Jun 2010 - Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C

How do you define discipleship for yourself? What are the ways you follow Jesus in your everyday life? Say to yourself, "I follow Jesus by . . ." and list as many ways as you can. In a sense, such a list might become your personal profession of faith.

discipleship followers

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Exploring the word

26 Jun 2016 - Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C

We take turns being leaders and followers in various contexts. We begin life as followers. Some children emerge as early leaders. We call these kids bossy (or was that just what they called me?). But no one remains fixed in either role indefinitely. Presidents come to the supper table and allow their spouses to set the evening's agenda. Friends initiate one activity and are joiners in the next. I can lead a workshop of 50 people on Saturday, and all eyes are on me. Yet I'm a daughter at my mother's house on Sunday, where she is without question in charge. Shocking though it sounds, even a very competent pastor can preside over the worshipping assembly with full authority, and still listen meekly to the recommendations of the parish council. Libraries are full of books about the necessary qualities of leadership. Warehouses bulge with remaindered books about leaders themselves. Far fewer pages have been dedicated to exploring the idea of what makes a good follower. This is curious given that, without followers, leaders can accomplish relatively little. One place to turn for an all-out manual on the art of followership is the New Testament. The writings of Paul have a lot to say about the breeding of new leaders (see Corinthians and the pastoral letters in particular) as well as the responsibilities of a community of followers. Most followers, in Paul's estimation, fall far short of the ideal! In the gospels, Jesus has little to say that's constructive about leaders or leadership. Leaders are hypocrites, wily foxes, white-washed tombs, self-righteous, and self-deceived. Governance seems hopelessly flawed by its very nature: Perhaps Lord Acton was right about power corrupting absolutely? Interestingly, Jesus never seeks to ascend to an office of leadership. He doesn't join the Pharisaic movement with whom he has much in common theologically. He dismisses the Zealot notion of taking Jerusalem and overturning Roman rule. He does "take the Temple," at least the outer court, on one occasion, identifying himself with its authority. But then he gives it back, recognizing its empty authority as a soon-to-be-dismantled pile of stones. When asked if he's a king, the vanity of earthly kingship is something Jesus lightly dismisses. He also plants a question mark behind his interrogator's own authority. Jesus doesn't spend a lot of time trying to groom leaders to succeed him, not even among the 12 apostles. What Jesus does invest his time and energy on is recruiting and encouraging followers. Even as his inner circle routinely disappoints him, Jesus continues to call others, warning them (us!) that followership is a very demanding position. Only the most sincere and dedicated need apply. Related scripture links Giving testimony: Acts 2:1-11; 1 John 1:1-4 Called to Christ: Rom. 1:5-7, 8:28-30, 11:29; 1 Cor. 1:1-2, 26-31 Famous calls in scripture: Gen. 15:1-6; Exod. 3:4-10; 1 Sam. 3:1-18; Ruth 1:16-18; Isa. 6:1-8; Jer.1:4-10; Acts 9:1-6; Gal. 1:11-16 “Unequal yokes”: 1 Cor. 10-13; 5:6-8; 6:15-20, 7:12-16; 2 Cor. 6:14-18

Authors Alice Camille

Leadership followers leaders

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Homily stories

20 Jun 2010 - Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C

Take up your cross and follow me, Jesus told his disciples: to follow my way will involve the willingness to make sacrifices-including the sources of security most people take for granted. In the summer of 2009 a group of modern-day disciples took up that challenge. Six Franciscan friars, three of whom had just taken their first vows, walked 300 miles from Roanoke, Virginia to Washington, D.C. with little else than their trust "in the Lord through the generosity of his people," as one of the friars, Brother Roger Lopez, put it. Each day presented the question of what to eat and where to sleep. Nonetheless, said Brother Joshua Van Cleef, "We never went a day without food, without some nutrients," even if that took the form of a couple of energy bars. People gave them food or money for groceries or meals at local restaurants. Accommodations took the form of whatever they could find-or not-like wood-and-stone shelters on the Appalachian Trail, a trampoline next to a firehouse, and picnic tables behind a church. Take up your cross and follow me. "Pilgrimage is about conversion," said Brother Roger "One leaves the safety, security, and comforts of home and life in order to be changed. There is nothing wrong with everyday life, but we need to be challenged; we need to grow."

Authors Joel Schorn

sacrifice followers follow comfort security safety

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The inner word

14 Aug 2016 - Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C

At Masses around the world every day, millions of people, in the words of the gospel, “eat and drink” with the Lord—would Jesus disown any of them, the way the master does in the gospel story? Maybe more than most folks would assume. He didn’t want followers who tagged along for a meal and a few pieces of wisdom; he wanted disciples to walk next to him on the hard road to Jerusalem and beyond. Not merely people to “do” the ritual and say that’s good enough but those willing to embrace him, his Way, and his fate. Which one of those people will you be?

followers

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The inner word

11 Oct 2009 - Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B

God provides all that we need. The first reading says if we choose wisdom, all other riches come to us. The second reading says God’s Word is living and effective. The gospel tells the familiar story of the rich young man. What does choosing wisdom look like in today’s world? How have I demonstrated that choice lately in my own life? Do I really believe that the Word of God is living and effective in the place and time and circumstances in which I find myself? Or do I hedge my bets? How so? What keeps me from dropping everything and following Jesus? What “wares” am I loaded down with that keep me from the freedom Jesus offers?

providence material goods followers

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Exploring the word

03 May 2009 - Fourth Sunday of Easter; Good Shepherd Sunday, Cycle B

Last November we citizens faced an important question together: Who should lead? It has a related, shadow question that gets asked more rarely: Who will follow? Although we ask the first question quite openly during an election year, it arises as well in the more immediate circles we inhabit. Who should lead: in families? In the work environment? In various committees within the parish or neighborhood? Even among friends caravaning to this or that event, someone has to get up front, and the rest have to agree to get in line behind. Otherwise, we don’t go anywhere together. We as church ask the same questions from our own membership each year on Good Shepherd Sunday, which is also the World Day of Prayer for Vocations. From among those gathered here this weekend we must ask: Who will lead the church into the future? Who will preach the gospel to the assembly that gathers tomorrow, and all our tomorrows? Who will be our teachers and prophets and healers, our administrators and music-makers and caregivers? If it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a small army to run the average parish. We dedicate this one day each year to pray for church leaders: those whom we already have, and those we need for the future. If you love the church, pray for those who lead her. If you don’t like the way the church is headed, if you have disagreements with ecclesial decisions and pronouncements, then you may have to pray twice as hard! But more than that: You might consider that your dissatisfaction may itself be a call to service if not to leadership. The church doesn’t need yes-men and -women. It needs the kind of people prepared to follow the Word of God and to summon others to follow them in the ever-surprising way of new life. A lot of folks are content to criticize leadership in every context, whether it be in the family or at city hall, in Washington or the Vatican. But we all bear the responsibility of growing good leadership. We do it in the home and in schools, in parishes and, yes, on the campaign trail sometimes. People become good leaders based on their experiences, on what life teaches them in good times and in bad. Look into your heart on this Good Shepherd Sunday: Have you gained in wisdom? Do you have a light you’ve been tending under a bushel? Are you the leader we’ve been waiting for? Related scripture links Human wisdom vs. the power of God: 1 Cor. 2:3-5 The paradox of the Resurrection: 1 Cor. 15:42-44 The poverty that is rich: 2 Cor. 4:7-18, 8:9 The strength of the kingdom: 2 Cor. 10:3-5 In weakness, power reaches perfection: 2 Cor. 12:7b-10 Catechism links Good shepherd: CCC 551-553; 606; 609; 649; 753-754

Authors Alice Camille

Leadership followers world day or prayer for vocations

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In other words

21 Jan 2018 - Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B

After John was arrested, Jesus went to Galilee preaching the Message of God: “Time’s up! God’s kingdom is here. Change your life and believe the Message.” Passing along the beach of Lake Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew net-fishing. Fishing was their regular work. Jesus said to them, “Come with me. I’ll make a new kind of fisherman out of you. I’ll show you how to catch men and women instead of perch and bass.” They didn’t ask questions. They dropped their nets and followed. A dozen yards or so down the beach, he saw the brothers James and John, Zebedee’s sons. They were in the boat, mending their fishnets. Right off, he made the same offer. Immediately, they left their father Zebedee, the boat, and the hired hands, and followed (from Mark 1). From A New Message 4 Next Week (actapublications.com) based on The Message: Catholic/Ecumenical Edition by Eugene Peterson (ACTA Publications, 2013).

fishers of men followers

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Homily stories

14 Jan 2018 - Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B

Some of us are natural-born leaders, others followers. Followers often get a bad rap in our entrepreneurial, individualistic culture. If you’re not a maverick out there risking everything on some high stakes venture, then you must be a wimp with an incredible lack of imagination. There’s nothing sexy or exciting about taking the backseat and letting someone else do the driving, or so we’re told. But, today we have the witness of John the Baptist and his disciples to show us that following requires just as much courage and creative vision as leading, and also a level of humility that leaders often find in short supply. John the Baptist had made a name for himself in his own right, but, obviously unschooled in the value of competition, he willingly sent his disciples Jesus’ way—not because he was scared or tired and wanted to abdicate responsibility but because he believed Jesus was more qualified to do the job of leading God’s people. So all you leaders, ask yourselves, am I really the right person for the job? And you followers, as you do your work each day, ask yourself, Is this person or corporation worth following? If you can answer yes, then take the backseat and consider yourself being chauffeured—now there’s a sexy image for you.

Authors Patrice J. Tuohy

leaders john the baptist followers

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