THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE LEADER.

SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME. YEAR B.
January 18, 2009.
(First reading: 1 Samuel 3:3-10, 19) (Psalm 40: 2, 4, 7-10)
(Second reading: 1 Corinthians 6:13-15, 17-20) (Gospel: John 1:35-42)


THE RESPONSIBILITY
OF THE LEADER.

History is filled with leaders have not lived up to their responsibility to realize the human aspirations for justice, peace, unity and equality.

Today's gospel tells us that there has finally come someone who is a true leader: Our Lord Jesus Christ. "Behold, the "Lamb of God" (John 1:36), the one who takes upon himself the responsibility of making our old world new, of destroying death, bringing an end to injustice and war.

In order to fulfill that responsibility, the leader must be willing to sacrify himself in the process, that is, must become a "Lamb".

If we decide to follow the Jesus, he will ask us: "What are you looking for?" (John 1:38). If we look for peace and justice, truth and liberation then we must ask him: "Where are you staying?" (John 1:38). In order that there may be no doubt as to what he stands for, Jesus replies: "Come, and you will see" (John 1:39)

As a true leader, Jesus has nothing to hide.

As a true leader Jesus becomes one with his followers.
Saint Paul confirms that "whoever is joined to the Lord becomes one in spirit with him" (1 Corinthians 6:17).

Just as a human being becomes one with Jesus, so must every institution of human society become one with him. If it is true that our individual bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, should not be also true that our societal body be a temple of the Holy Spirit as well?

Jesus leads not only the individual but also humankind as a whole toward the fulfillment of justice, peace, and unity for all.

By following Jesus, human beings enrich themselves greatly because:
- "Not a word of them will be without effect" (1 Samuel 3:19). They will effectively bring about the justice, peace and unity the world so much needs.

- They will call others to join Jesus. After spending a day with Jesus "Andrew first found his own brother Simon and told him, 'We have found the Messiah'" (John 1:41). The followers of Jesus "do God's will ... proclaim God's justice in the great assembly" (Psalm 40:9-10).