Applying today's gospel reading (Matthew 7:21-29) to my life and to life in general...
Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. - Matthew 21:24
Once upon a time at a faculty meeting, I publicly said to the principal (he has since moved on) at where I teach that I rarely do the things he recommends we should do as teachers...(at this point, laughter and disbelief may have been present in the room)...yet, I shared that one of the things he did recommend to us, I did (spoiler at the end of today's reflection).
Hearing and Doing...not that many of us do whatever those we hold in authority tell us. Is it because we don't listen? Is it because we don't hear? Is it because we don't trust nor believe the one who is speaking? Of course, it's partially all of these...however, a closer read of today's scripture points us in a certain direction. Before we reach the end point of Jesus' guidance, some preliminaries are in order.
Jesus speaks to his disciples in this passage--so, we can conclude they are familiar with him. They believe in him, they trust him, and they follow him...true disciples.
I never knew you. - Matthew 7:23
Furthermore, his disciples believe they have been "good" disciples. They have prophesied, driven out demons, and done mighty deeds--all in his name. Despite being good disciples, Jesus says "depart from me, you evildoers".
Why? Jesus says because "I never knew you." Jesus was a different type of leader. Most leaders do not have the inclination to know their disciples. Most bosses are not inclined to know those whom they employ. Most commanding officers are not inclined to know those whom they command.
Jesus was a different type of leader.
He wanted to know those he led, he wanted to be in a relationship with them, he wanted to be spiritually intimate with them in a human not divine way.
Of course, the lesson here is what type of disciples, followers, employees, service members, and sons and daughters are we to those we hold in authority in our lives.
I know I can improve in every area above--yet, what this passage says about what type of qualities a leader should possess is perhaps more paramount.
Mostly, it is counter intuitive to want to get to know your boss, your commanding officer, and other leaders and authorities in our lives better. Why should we assume that they want to know us better than they already do? Good question...and, if they do, may I be so bold and say they are a Jesus-type leader (for the most part...of course, there might be some leaders on the fringe for which we should be vigilant).
It is not easy to hear and do what an authority says to us...yet, the greater lesson for us may be to take a second glance who we place in authority in our lives.
Oh yes...what the principal wanted us to do was to stand at the door in order to greet and welcome our students by name as they entered our classrooms. I did. He was a Jesus-type of leader.
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