32nd Week in Ordinary Time (B) : Monday, 11th November 2024

St Paul lists out the qualities required for leaders to be appointed in the Church. He instructs Titus, a fellow missionary disciple close to Paul’s heart, to exemplify and exhort qualities such as hospitality, lover of goodness, temperate, prudent, just, holy, contented with what they have, self-control and holding fast to sound Christian doctrine. Married leaders should remain faithful to their spouses and committed to bringing up their children with good conduct and morality. There must be no scandalous portrayals.

Can we ever be such a leader in our community? Our society and lifestyle are inevitably structured by the internet and social media. As we are constantly bombarded by voices alluring us to the pursuit of commercial dreams and narcissistic images, we become less sensitive to the voice of the Spirit calling us to imitate Jesus our Master to “lay down our lives for the others.”

We are so caught up with running ‘programs and pastoral activities’ that we lack in follow-up and sacrifice a little more time to build rapport, nurture and mentor potential leaders who are committed to serve.

Perhaps like the Apostles, vulnerable as we are to sin, we recognize our need for greater reliance and trust in God. Without the Lord, our own strength will frustrate us. With increasing faith, we are able to forgive others and be the stepping stones leading them to be leaders of faith, hope and charity.

Lord, help me to be audacious in opening the way of faith, hope and love for the vulnerable.