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
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