Leading, Leading astray and Leading together

Monday, 32nd week in Ordinary Time

November 11, 2024: Titus 1:1-9; Luke 17:1-6

The Word speaks of three aspects of leadership in a community...

First is leading; leading after the heart of God, being inspired by the Holy Spirit and guided by teachings of the Lord. When a person involves in such a mission, leading one's brothers and sisters in the Spirit, there will be loads of opposition but the person will find oneself so fearless! 

Second is leading astray, where the evil one is active at play. That has been the quality of the evil one, right from the beginning of humanity. Temptor, as the evil one is identified, uses people under influence to draw others to evil and against good. But there might be no signs of evil around, everything might seem so practical, pragmatic and acceptable, but the evil could reside somewhere in the corner, leading us astray.

The third is leading the community together to unity, harmony and loving understanding. One of the most important tool in this regard would be forgiveness. No community or family can be built without daily and unfailing forgiveness. At times we get so caught up with doing right and standing for the right, that we forget that forgiving and marching ahead is much more important, without which we shall be sitting in judgement on each other, never progressing towards the Reign!

Everything seems complicated and so difficult. But when there is faith, that is when there is the assurance that we are walking with the Lord, we shall sail through. This is what a saint like Martin of Tours whom we remember today teaches us: all that we need to do is, pray as the Gospel teaches us today: Lord, increase our faith!