Are you in a position of leadership? How do you see your role in the light of today’s readings? - Daily Reflections March 2,2014

STEWARD OF GOD’S MYSTERIES

 

In the conclave of March 2013, our very own Cardinal Tagle was considered to be a papabile, a contender for the papacy. When asked whether he thought he would be elected pope, Cardinal Chito clarified, “It was clear to me that the task of the cardinals is to elect a new pope and not to have yourself be elected pope.”

       A servant of God is not a career person. As Paul said in today’s First Reading, he is “an administrator of the mysteries of God” (1 Corinthians 4:1). Simply put, he is a steward. A steward is not self-appointed; he is called.

       Blessed John Paul II’s remark at his election as Pope referred to a strong sense of being called as well as unworthiness. Referring to himself in the third person, he said, “They called him from a faraway country.” A “faraway country” was his metaphor for Poland, his native country, an “unknown country,” so unlike the great country where the Popes of the past have originated. He said further, “He was afraid to receive such nomination but he did it in the spirit of obedience to the Lord and total trust in His mother…”

       In the Conclave of 2013, many self-proclaimed Vaticanisti (Vatican experts) had their own list of “strong contenders.” When the name “Jorge Bergoglio” (now known as Pope Francis) was announced by the Cardinal Deacon, not a few wondered, “Who?” Manila ArchbishopEmeritus Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales humorously but insightfully explained why Cardinal Bergoglio was chosen. “I told them it’s because the Holy Spirit does not read social media or watch CNN or BBC.”

       When our spiritual leaders forget that they are stewards, administrators of God’s mysteries, careerism creeps in and they become mere Church functionaries. They begin to serve the God of money and not the real God, just as Jesus warned in the Gospel today.

       This Sunday, let us pray fervently for our Church leaders. When we do that, the first beneficiary will be the whole People of God. Fr. Joel Jason

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: Are you in a position of leadership? How do you see your role in the light of today’s readings?

 

Lord Jesus, I pray for our Church leaders today. May they remain faithful and obedient to Your call to them.