THE LEADER WITH A DIFFERENCE

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ACTS 13: 26-33; Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent.
27 For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him.
28 And though they found no cause of death in him, yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain.
29 And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre.
30 But God raised him from the dead:
31 And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people.
32 And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers,
33 God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.

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Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

JOHN 14:1-6
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

My dear people of God, today's world is a wonderland of information. Through televisions, phones and laptops, we have instant access to the latest investment opportunities, health advice and online maps.

So why are we still confused and end up in the worst places and situations? Why is there so much misery and tragedy in our lives? Why do more marriages break up? Why do children start getting into trouble even at a younger age?

I would like to think that, it is because we are lost in a jungle of false wonders. The Garden of Eden had only one forbidden tree among thousands of good ones. But today it's the reverse. We have a thousand trees tempting us with delicious but poisonous lifestyles.

The single Good Tree is the most rejected of all. Yet, on it hangs the most desirable fruit of all - JESUS - lovingly inviting us, "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Jesus says: “I am the Way.” The Lord Jesus does not simply give advice and direction. He personally is the way and we cannot miss it. He leads and guides us personally every day.

Jesus also says: “I am the Truth.” Many of us can say, “I have taught you the truth.” But only Jesus can say, ‘I am the Truth.’ Moral truth cannot be conveyed in words alone; it must be conveyed in example. Jesus embodies the truth in His person.

Many leaders of our days exercise their leadership to better themselves and not their subordinates but Jesus is a Leader with a difference because He came to seek the total well-being of his people. Till leadership becomes others-centered rather than self centered, it is lacking in its real purpose.

We are told by St. Paul in the first reading of today that to give life to humankind, Jesus went through suffering: false accusations by the religious leaders (most of whom exploited the, people and heaped burdens upon them- Mt. 23:4, Lk. 11:46), He was maltreated, killed, burried but God raised Him up and glorified Him.

In the Gospel reading, we can deduce from Jesus's own words (which were words of farewell to His disciples) some good qualities of leadership that makes Him stand out among other leaders.

  1. Do not let your hearts be troubled. A good leaders words can heal.

  2. Trust (have faith) in God and Trust (have faith) in me. By these words Jesus also recommends faith in God as a virtue we all need especially when we are at our wits end.

  3. I go to prepare a place for you, That where I am, you also may be.

My great family of God, is there any fear or trouble which keeps us from the perfect peace and happiness of a life surrendered to Jesus Christ?

When you are the neediest, He is the most sufficient.
When you are completely helpless, He is the most helpful.
When you feel totally dependent, He is absolutely dependable.
When you are the weakest, He is the ablest.
When you are the most alone, He is intimately present.
When you feel you are the least, He is the greatest.
When you feel the most useless, He is preparing you.
When it is the darkest, He is the only Light you need.
When you feel the least secure, He is your Rock and Fortress.
When you are the humblest, He is most gracious.
When you cannot, He can.”

Let us pray that Jesus will be our WAY as far as true leadership is concerned. Our TRUTH whom we can learn good leadership from and the LIFE who will help our leadership give life to others. AMEN!!!

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