What exactly is a shepherd anyway? I mean, we live in a culture where the idea of someone tending to the needs of a flock of sheep is a foreign concept. When I was in veterinary school I worked at the sheep barn at the University of Illinois. The Shepherd was from the Boston area, and had the typical accent we ascribe to that region of the country. He described himself, using that Boston accent, as a “Baa-Tenda”.
Since we do not directly relate, in most cases, to the concept of a shepherd I thought I would give some 20th century examples of the leaders.
The 1954 novel, and 1963 Film, Lord of the Flies chronicles the story of a group of young British boys that find themselves on a deserted island following the crash of an airplane during World War II. There are no adults on the island and the boys decide they need to organize in order to survive. One of the boys inherit leadership by virtue of him holding a conch shell that they use to call meetings and as an indicator who can speak at gatherings. Soon after, a second boy, Jack, challenges Ralph’s leadership which then leads to regular confrontations, the death of two of the boys and the burning of the island. Chaos rules the day until they are rescued by a passing British ship. The lack of a strong, benevolent leader became apparent in the story resulting in the boys failing to achieve organization and a coordinated effort for survival or rescue.
The 1967 film, To Sir with Love, starring Sidney Poitier also gives us a vision of the value of leadership. Poitier plays a new teacher in a British high school (no, there is no conspiracy here trying to imply the English consistently rebel against authority) where there is a class of raucous, anti-establishment students that previous teachers have abandoned due to lack of respect and learning. Sir, as he has his students call him, faces similar reactions until he learns to treat the students as individuals, treat them with respect and demand it back from them. The result is a blossoming of the class such that they move towards reaching their full potential.
OK, one more to redeem the Brits. Winston Churchill. Prior to the start of World War II, the British Parliament was in a battle in deciding how to respond to Hitler’s aggressions in Europe and threats to England. It was not until the election of Churchill, and his commitment to engaging and never surrendering to the Nazis, that the country came together and fought, along with the rest of the Allies, to defeat Hitler’s armies.
And Jesus sees the same sad situation as we read in Mark’s Gospel. Jesus sees the large crowds looking for someone to lead them. To speak the words that will guide them during Roman occupation. Yes, they were hoping for miracles but the majority of the crowds were content to sit and hear the Lord’s interpretation of Scripture. They also see his compassion to those who are not wealthy or in positions of power. They sees his forgiveness to sinners, to tax collectors and prostitutes. And they see humility.
When Pope Francis first entered his pontificate he instructed the clergy to be shepherds living with the smell of the sheep. In other words, be a part of the people you are supposed to be leading. He spoke out against clericalism where the clergy act as if their position as shepherds were meant only to afford an opportunity to rise to higher office within the church. He went to a women’s prison and washed their feet. An unheard of practice to include women in this ritual. While our current pontiff may have controversy swirling about him at times, he has shown clear symbols of what it means to serve.
Earlier in Mark’s chapter 6 we saw the beheading of John the Baptist as a result of a promise that Herod made to his daughter at a banquet. At this feast Herod uses his position as King to reap the rewards of rich food, sweet drink, entertainment and a consolidation of power. He is served as opposed to serving. He allows his emotions and weaknesses to get him backed into a corner and make a decision he would rather not make in terms of having John killed. His obsession with his self-importance disqualify him as a true and effective leader.
Northeastern University published a paper 3 years ago outlining the qualities of an effective leader:
- They are self aware making them more effective listeners and open to change. I recently read a piece on what to do if a friend was in a crisis pregnancy situation and she approached you for help. Would you launch into a pro-life speech giving her all the reasons to not have an abortion? Or would you stop and listen to her fears and concerns demonstrating the primary goal is to care and show compassion.
- They focus on developing others. Jesus showed this skill when he sent out the 72 disciples to baptize and heal. He knew that He was not going to be around for much longer and He was building a Church and this Church would need leaders.
- Encourage strategic thinking, innovation and action. Some of the best sermons/homilies I have heard were those that communicated the issue and outlined a plan for tackling the project. An action plan. Not just TALKING about a problem but actually putting people in motion to DO something.
- Ethical and civic-minded. The focus of a good leader is not on what is expedient but what is right. Morality is never a compromise.
- Practice effective cross cultural communication. There is an organization in the county where we live called DuPage United. It is a collection of clergy from the area that identify problems and develop solutions to be worked on in an inter-denominational manner.
We are all leaders in our own way. We may not lead a religious movement or enter political office, but we can lead a bible study or organize a trip to a Catholic shrine. We can teach a religious education class. We can facilitate or assist with putting on a Cursillo weekend. Whatever you do, you can be a leader. Help to reduce the chaotic wanderings and provide direction. It might also be a good idea to bring along an extra can of bug spray. You know how those pesky flies can be.
