Servant Leaders

James and John in today’s Gospel would have no problem in our competitive society today. 

They tried to get one over the rest of the Apostles by asking Jesus for the favored positions, one at the right and the other at the left in his kingdom. They were no strangers to cronyism, and nepotism.

The understanding of greatness of James and John reflects that of the understanding of the world.

Greatness is honor and position to be recognized by people, to have special privileges, to be served by everybody. Power is to be at one’s personal disposal especially to accumulate wealth and more power.

Jesus observes that in the pagan world “…those who seem to exercise authority lord it over them; their great ones made their authority felt.” Aren’t we familiar with what Jesus was referring to? How often do we find the people in authority making their status known? For example, keeping the people waiting, ignoring the traffic rules, and other regulations for the common people.  And if there is any conflict or confrontation, instead of trying to settle the matter in an agreeable way, they immediately intimidate with words like “Do you know who I am?”  

And there are those savages, who in any traffic accidents just beat up the other party or just draw their guns and shoot the opposing party. Of course, for those who can afford, there is always the threat of “See you in court!”

It seems that in our beloved country practically all the gambling and drug syndicates, the kidnappings, carnappings, the illegal logging, smuggling and land grabbing, public scams are directly or indirectly connected to some public or military officials. In this world, the powerful often make their authority felt by exploiting the weak and the powerless.

The brothers James and John wasted no time in trying to further their own ambitions for success.

Any sense of loyalty was low down on their personal concern. Nothing could be allowed to stand in the way of their desire for personal advancement.

Jesus came to teach a different concept of greatness:  “It cannot be like that for you.  Anyone among you who aspires to greatness must serve the rest; whoever wants to rank first among you who aspires to greatness must serve the rest; whoever wants to rank first among you must serve the needs of all.”

It has been over 2000 years since Jesus introduced this radical concept of leadership. We hear about it every so often. Yet, we hardly see it in practice even in a Catholic country like ours. So, let us take second look at Jesus’ concept of leadership.

The leadership that Jesus teaches and models is not a set of things to do.  It is not a formula or recipe, but a basic belief. Leadership is an art, an attitude, a condition of the heart. The art of leadership, as Jesus models it, requires us to view the leader as servant, as steward.

For Jesus, leadership was never about privilege, power or glory; it was always about service – service to people. People are at the heart and spirit of leadership.

The leadership that Jesus teaches and models begins with a servant mentality.  Servants put the needs of others first. They expect to be of service and are not put off or offended when they are asked to give of themselves.  Indeed, servants expect to receive orders, they expect to sacrifice themselves for the needs of others.  They put themselves at the disposal of those who would benefit from their service. Servants expect to give rather than to receive.

Followers of Jesus – that is, we Christians – are, by virtue of our baptism into Christ, service oriented. It is impossible to be a follower of Christ without a servant mentality. Each of us is called and initiated to Servant Leadership. 

It is impossible to be a true follower of Christ without a servant leadership mentality, attitude and condition of heart. Servant leaders, like Jesus, call forth their own gifts and the gifts of others in collaborative leadership. Servant leadership is the ability to influence others for better.

Patricia Leimbach presents some important questions to consider in choosing a leader.

“Is he (or she) headed in the right direction?” In response to the question, we might ask ourselves: Do I acknowledge the many God-given gifts I’ve received? Am I constantly grateful for those gifts? Am I comfortable being needed?  Or do I resent it? Am I comfortable with being useful? 

Do I realize that being useful is not the same thing as being used? Am I attentive and responsive to the needs of others? Do I find ways to be helpful to others – at home, at work, with friends in my neighborhood, my Church?

Francis Joseph was emperor of Austria and king of Hungary from 1848 to 1916, one of the longest reigns in history. It was also the most progressive.

Francis Joseph could be strict, but mostly he reigned with kindness. Early in his reign an epidemic of cholera overran Europe. Francis was advised to leave Vienna and take refuge in Salzburg until the plague was over.

“Will there be room enough in Salzburg for all my children?” asked the emperor. “Certainly, your majesty,” replied the counselors, “there is plenty of room for all the royal family.” “Is there really room for all my children?” the monarch repeated as he pointed from his window to the crowds below. “Look at all those people.  They are my children.  Should their father forsake them in danger? No, my beloved Viennese have always shared my joys and my sorrows. 

I will not abandon them in their hour of trouble.”

Christ’s glory came about as a result of his service, self-sacrifice and servant leadership. Our glory comes about in the same way.

Come May next year we will be choosing our local and national leaders. What kind of people are you going to put onto office? Will you follow the teachings of Jesus to choose good servant leaders, or will you just be a slaves of political parties, and choose leaders of worldly ambitions?

Critically needed today are true Christians and leaders. Can Jesus count on you? Christ’s glory came about as a result of his service, self-sacrifice and servant leadership.

Our glory comes about in the same way.  Will you follow?