Daily Reflections ...

We take a slight sidestep from the readings of Lent today and consider a feast day that has fluctuated in importance to the ‘average Catholic’ over the years. Popes and bishops find it very important, as it appears to be about them at first glance. They are probably right, but let us take the time to expand it a little.

The first reading for today is 1 Peter 5:1–4. The writer turns his attention to ‘the elders’ and instructs them to be the shepherds of the flock entrusted to them. Perhaps too quickly, we transpose our current ecclesial structures onto that text and so miss the fact that Peter was unfamiliar with priests and bishops as we understand them today. Instead, he addresses those who had risen to leadership in the different Church communities by virtue of their holiness, experience and charism to guide and lead those who were part of those communities. The elders led the community because the community recognised leadership in them.

It begins with Peter. The act of faith expressed by Peter in today’s gospel reading was miraculous. Others had experienced Jesus, but for whatever reason, Peter was the one who could locate the words and articulate them.

Only the Holy Spirit can bring a person to this understanding.

It makes Peter the leader.

Being ‘an elder’ involves living in a deep relationship with Jesus Christ and learning to lead as he leads.

To be in leadership in the Church, in whatever capacity, is an expression of profound humility, or it is not Christian leadership.

by Shane Dwyer