I must be quick today. Two thoughts about leadership (and relationships) come to mind after reading our readings for today’s Mass. If you are in charge of let’s say a kingdom, a country, a religious institution, the Catholic faith, a family – how do you chose to lead? Our first reading offers some insight on how the Leader of All would rule…
On that day,
A shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse,
and from his roots a bud shall blossom.
The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him:
a Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
A Spirit of counsel and of strength,
a Spirit of knowledge and of fear of the LORD,
and his delight shall be the fear of the LORD.
Not by appearance shall he judge,
nor by hearsay shall he decide,
But he shall judge the poor with justice,
and decide aright for the land’s afflicted.
He shall strike the ruthless with the rod of his mouth,
and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked.
Justice shall be the band around his waist,
and faithfulness a belt upon his hips.
Remember that leaders, Justice and Faithfulness are the keys to not letting your pants fall down about your ankles and being an embarrassment to all of your “subjects”.
The Gospel gives us a look into how much our Savior loved and honored His Father.
Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said,
“I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
for although you have hidden these things
from the wise and the learned
you have revealed them to the childlike.
Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will.
All things have been handed over to me by my Father.
No one knows who the Son is except the Father,
and who the Father is except the Son
and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.”
I am posting Bishop Barron’s reflection on today’s Gospel. Gentleman, read and reflect on your relationship with your father and think about your relationship with your children.
From Bishop Barron:
It is important to keep in mind that this is not simply a good and holy man addressing God, but rather the very Son of God addressing his Father. We are being given a share in the inner life of God, the conversation between the first two Trinitarian persons.
And what are the “things” that have been concealed from the learned and revealed to the little ones? Nothing other than the mystery of Jesus’ relationship to his Father, the love that obtains between Father and Son, the inner life of God. From the beginning, this is what God wanted to give us.
St. Mary Magdalen Men of God 