not by constraint

Friday, February 22, 2013 The Chair of St. Peter, Apostle (Feast)

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: 1 Peter 5:1-4 Psalm 23:1-6 Matthew 16:13-19

1 Peter 5:2 Tend the flock of God that is your charge, not by constraint but willingly, not for shameful gain but eagerly,

If only this was our first instinct, and if only the politicians and "leaders" of our culture could get what is being said here.  We look to people we call leaders, but they often are not leaders, they are controllers.  A leader is someone who sets the example for the followers, not some one who prescribes something for others that they are not willing to accept themselves.  How much better the world might be if the way we got people to follow was to actually do it our selves and inspire them to follow.  But, our first instinct is always to make a law that forces others to do what we want them to do, yet we are not willing to do it unless everybody else has to do it.
A leader is some one who is out there on their own, vulnerable and visible and at risk.  Maybe people will follow, maybe they will not.  A coward is someone who makes a law that everybody else be put at risk so that the "leader" can make a profit or get re-elected.
Oh, and good leaders are also good followers by definition.  A leader who has not demonstrated a willingness to follow is just a person that is looking out for themselves.  Good leaders are led by God.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to know and to be what it takes to be a leader in the areas that you call me to lead.  Help me to not look for consensus and profit, or even success, but to follow your example in Christ Jesus.
Amen