SHEPHERDING LEADERSHIP

 

This pandemic has enlightened the world that there is a crisis in global leadership. The handlings of this unprecedented situation, restoration to normalcy, revival of economy have challenged the capacity of world leaders. In the last US election the presidential candidate of two major parties were above the age of 70. This makes me question; why these people who should be enjoying their retirement period happily with their grandchildren should take up this tiresome job? Is it because they were capable or because there were no able candidates? I am sure, both are capable and have good political experience, but is it only for that? Of course, some countries do have young leaders. But for most powerful countries like US going for elderly leadership make(s) us (me) wonder!

The readings of this Sunday invite us to reflect on leadership, which in Judeo-Christian term; shepherding. In the first reading taken from prophet Jeremiah, God denounces shepherds (leaders) in Israel for failing in their duty. In the context of todays’ reading the shepherds were not only rulers but also priestly class. The work of the shepherd is to be with the sheep, to keep the flock united and lead them to proper pasture. The leadership in Israel failed in these three areas. Jesus, being the good shepherd fulfils these duties in the gospel. People come to Jesus united, He shows compassion for the people as they were without shepherds, He welcomes them and directs them through His teaching. In Jesus time and in Jeremiah’s time the priests in Israel limited their functions to performing rituals and pronouncing judgments. There was hostility between people and priestly class. There was no easy access to priests and get their teaching. How can a person be judged if s/he is not instructed first? Besides these negligences the priests drove the people away from them. To become a leader or priest is to draw the people to God, to make them come closer toward oneself to give aid. The duty of the leader is to hear people’s plea and heal them. If leader is not easily accessible to the people how can s/he know the needs of the people? Most knowledge comes through the senses of hearing and seeing. The leader who prohibits the people from his/her presence lacks the chance of hearing and seeing them. Thus, s/he only occupies the office and title without working; it is this kind of people that Jeremiah condemns.

     Uniting, welcoming and directing (accompanying) are the qualities of a good leader which the readings of today suggest. Are our 21^st century leadership unite people, welcome them, and direct them? The leadership of Jesus did not flow from any portfolios. Jesus did not occupy any post neither in Judaism nor in Roman Empire. His leadership was imposed on Him; people looked forward to Him as one who can give them something that they are in need of, as one who can fill their emptiness, as one who can avail Himself for them at any time. Our term ‘leadership’ connotes power and possession; to lead is to have power to do something. Our social systems give way for one to present oneself as candidate for leadership. This is just and respects one’s freedom but the lacuna here is; one needs title/portfolio to act. Those who get leadership have already prepared to lead – to lead in a way they have planned prior to their election to leadership. Jesus’ leadership is shepherding – which requires no election, selection and commission, on the contrary necessitates only submission, remission and sublimation. The differentiation of modern leadership and Jesus’ shepherding will make us better understand the profile of leadership that Jesus proposes.

MODERN LEADERSHIP	JESUS’ SHEPHERDING
Waits for power/title to act	No requirement of power and title
Sends the guard ahead to ensure ones’ security	He goes ahead to ensure the security of sheep’s that follow him
Sends delegate to attend to the issues	Assists each sheep and concerns personally
Has time limit (office timing / post timing)	No time limit
Conditioned to obey the stipulations of the supporters	Being imposed and called, there is no way for being conditioned by others
There is pride, prestige and luxury	There is only service, sacrifice and discomfort

In the time of modern leadership that wound the outsiders to protect the insiders, Jesus’ shepherding calls for healing the wounds of the insider and mending the relationship with outsiders. In the kingdom of God leadership is for service, sacrifice and discomfort, Jesus’ being the King of God’s kingdom performed His leadership in this way. Thus, in the kingdom of God leadership is shepherding.

Each of us is called to be shepherds in our own way, in our families, in our work place, in our educational centers, in our market places… The leaders in the church and secular societies do have to learn from the shepherding of Jesus; to unite, to welcome and to assist. Any leadership that is sought, fought and bought is caught up with conditions. Any leadership that comes along the way leads to making, seeking and knocking as there are no conditions but has only freedom to act. In the second reading St. Paul tells the Ephesians that Jesus’ death united Jews and gentiles. Let our leadership unite people and establish peace in our settings. Let our leadership be shepherding that makes (unite), seeks (welcome) and knocks (assist). God bless!