The Leader is Sensitive

July 19, 2009

"We are not slaves", tells our assistant parish priest in his homily this morning. This he concluded from today's Gospel reading, Mark 6:30-34, where Jesus invites His weary and hungry apostles to rest.

So this is our Jesus, a leader who cares for His followers. He is not a tyrant who just orders people around and does not mind their well-being. Our Good Shepherd is sensitive to the needs of our flock. Now, that must make a good leader---sensitivity.

At the end of the Gospel reading, see what Jesus does. He went away by boat with His apostles, planning to rest in a solitary place. But upon arriving, there comes a large crowd who followed them by land. With no excuses, thinking not of the well-deserved rest and with compassion in His heart, Jesus taught the people, providing the needs of their souls, and ultimately leading them to the light. How sensitive.