ETHICS, EDUCATION and LEADERSHIP

 

Keys 

to Good Governance,

 Hope and Joy

 

-       +Vincent Dollmann*

-        

Among the gospels, that of Saint Matthew pays particular attention to the organization and life of Christian communities and highlights the teaching of Jesus for those who exercise ecclesial responsibilities. The translations notably give chapter 18 the title of “ecclesiastical discourse” whose teaching can relate to social life and leadership. Jesus speaks of “brother” to designate Christians but the universal perspective of his speech makes it possible to extend the attribution of every man. The term "brother" has both theological and ethical meaning. In use on theological level, the term is linked to the central revelation of Jesus, that of a Father God. Christ looks at persons in their connection to God who willed them and who loves them in a unique and personal way.

At the ethical level, "brother" underlines the requirement of a relational quality based on the revelation of a Father God. Jesus concludes the parable of the lost sheep thus: “In the same way, it is not desired by my Father who is in heaven that even one of these little ones should be lost" (Mt. 18:14).

This recognition of the other as a brother leads us to exercise responsibilities in a dynamic of service. A servant is first characterized by the link to a master. For us, it is about God who does not seek to keep us in servile submission, but who wants to share with us his life of love and gift. Thus, one of the hymns of the breviary in French proclaims: "Serving God, makes man free like this" (Office of Readings, Thursday of Week11)

Jesus introduces his speech with the example of the child where humility he invites to imitate. He speaks of "humbling oneself" (Mt. 18:14); the expression designates an attitude of total trust and abandonment in God, like himself, lived it in his abasement until the cross to save us (Cf Phil 2,8). Jesus thus demonstrated that God did not exercise his authority by crushing or imposing Himself, but by elevating. This is the meaning of the Feast of the Glorious Cross celebrated on September 14. For us, to live according to the humility of Jesus is to let God and our neighbor reveal themselves to me; it is letting God be our creator and our savior and It is letting our neighbor, big or small, rich or poor, be our traveling companion.

In this teaching in chapter 18, Jesus will thus indicate two criteria for the exercise of responsibility: attention to the little ones and respect for each person.

Attention to the little ones is underlined by the warning of the scandal of which they can be victims (Mt. 18,4.14). The little ones whom Jesus speaks of are in fact the disciples exposed to the danger of false prophets. The scandal then constructs/manipulates the teachings and attitudes of those who are attentive to their faith.

We can understand in this teaching call to refuse elitism and pay attention to all forms of intellectual development, speculative ang practical.  A leader of the Church, like all other human institution, must ensure total integration. This requirement covers concern for the small abandoned or marginalized persons, It is the universal guarantor because he who is attends to the lowly and the poor knows how to be attentive to every man.

Attention to the little ones broadens in the Gospel to unconditional respect for the human person. Jesus makes this the measures of the institutional functioning of the Church like any human community. By relying on the parable of the merciless servant which constitutes the conclusion of the discourse (Mt. 18: 21-35), we can develop a real pedagogy of leadership. It's about learning to always start by seeing the positive in others, then authenticating it and valuing it as a gift from God. It is about learning to always start by seeing the positive in others, then authenticating it and valuing it as a gift from God. And the final step consists of welcoming the gift perceived in the neighbor, as a gift which is also for me, which can enrich me and enrich the whole group.

By relying on the teaching of Jesus, we are always led to verify the foundation of our thinking and our action. Jesus not only gives us the keys to give meaning to our life; He is the key that guarantees us the fruitfulness of life in the service of God and our neighbor. May He support us in reflection and initiatives concerning education and leadership.

*Archbishop of Cambrai – Umec-Wuct Ecclesiastical Assistant