Our
Lord Jesus Christ
Universal King
Part of the prayer
of an Unknown Confederate Soldier
goes like this:
"I asked for
strength that I might achieve -
I was made weak that I might learn
humbly to obey.
I asked for power that I might have
the praise of men -
I was given weakness that I might
feel the need of God."
That soldier got more
than he bargained for. So do we. He
ends his prayer with gratitude to
God:
"Almost despite
myself my unspoken prayers were answered.
I am among all men, most richly blessed."
Today's first reading
reminds me of that prayer., It is
you who shall be shepherd of my people
Israel, you shall be ruler over Israel
(2 Sam 5:2). This applies to David,
newly anointed king. His model - a
ridiculous one to all power-conscious
bosses - is the shepherd. This type
of leadership is gentle and caring.
It provides safety. It creates peace.
It knows the need for vigilance. Shepherds,
lowly and illiterate men,m are up-front
with their flocks.
Leaders at any level
have a lot to learn from this image
- even though those they "lead"
may not in any way be sheepish.
Copyright: Fr Tom
Cahill SVD (Intercom)
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