Homily: Seventh Tuesday of Easter (Acts 20:17-27) “To Delegate is to Lead”
Homily: Seventh Tuesday of Easter (Acts 20:17-27) “To Delegate is to Lead”
When we think of the passion, we think of Jesus’ passion. Jerusalem was the place where Jesus suffered and died. It is the place where his destiny was fulfilled.
We read in the gospel how Jesus sets his face on Jerusalem (Lk 9:51). He does this right after the second prediction of his passion in the Gospel of Luke. Jesus could have turned away. He could have run to save himself, but he believed that there were some things worth dying for. He wanted to proclaim the Gospel in the holy city. He wanted to confront the powers of the world both religious and secular.
We begin to hear about the passion of St. Paul in the reading we have from the Acts of the Apostles at our Mass today. Paul was just finishing up his third missionary journey. He sets his face on Jerusalem. He feels like he must confront the powers of this world as did Jesus. He had the feeling that he was going to die for what he believed.
The people who hear the prediction of his suffering are saddened. Paul had started the church at Ephesus. He had painstakingly organized the church so that there would be leaders to guide the it when he left.
Paul was a good leader. The last thing a good leader does before they finish their work is to make sure that there will be people to carry the task forward. True leaders do not feel like they are indispensable.
Many churches die after their founders retire. Perhaps that is why we have so many Christian churches that are boarded up or barely viable. There is a tendency in modern Christianity for ministers not to build on what others have started, but always want to start something new.
Jesus trained his apostles to carry on his work after he was dead. Paul imitated that same mentality when he trained leaders in every church he founded. His planning helped his churches not only to survive, but to prosper.
Reflection Questions:
- When I am leading a group, do I think of who will be taking the lead after me? Why is that wise?
- Paul felt that he could not expect that his life would end any differently than Jesus. How was he correct?
Dear Parishioners,
We Confirmed our last student for this year on Saturday at the 4PM Mass. The student who was Confirmed could not be here for Confirmation with Bishop Tylka. Fortunately, I was delegated by Bishop Jenky to confer this sacrament.
Last year, at this time, we were waiting to see when it would be safe to have our children make their First Communions and Confirmations. We were still locked down. How good it is to be able to complete these sacraments during the Easter Season this year!
We have been through a lot this past year. Hopefully, we all see the many parishioners who are being Baptized, Confirmed and receiving First Holy Communion, as a sign of new life in our parish and a sign that the Lord is fulfilling his promise to be with us always.
May Our Lady and all the Angels and Saints watch over you today.
Fr. Mark