Homily: November 5, 2023, Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time (Leaders)

"The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, but whoever humbles himself will be exalted."

All three readings today are about leadership, specifically religious leadership. 

In the first reading, prophet Malachi, the last prophet in the Old Testament, spoke on behalf of God and sternly warned that “I will send a curse upon you and of your blessing I will make a curse.” He was addressing the priests who were reinstated after the exile, but who did not seem to have learnt the lessons from their wrong doings which led to the exile.

God’s warnings were harsh, and yet, what do we see?

Throughout the history of the church, there have been numerous religious leaders who were notorious, scandalous, evil and simply wrong in their teachings, practices and ways of living. 

In the Gospel, Jesus speaks against the scribes and Pharisees who were abusing their authority, oppressive to the people and led double lives. The scribes and Pharisees were not given authority as Rabbis from the office of Moses.

 In 152 BC, King Jonathan Ephus of the Maccabees muscled his way into priesthood and appointed his own priests, leading to a weakness in the priesthood. This created an opportunity which the scribes and Pharisees took advantage of and thus gained their power and authority. 

That is why Jesus criticized that "they have taken their seats on the chair of Moses." He advises people to listen to what they say but not follow their example, because they teach but do not practice.

Now more than two thousand years later, we too have had many clerical scandals which tarnished the church's image, lost the trust of the people and caused many to leave the faith. And these were popes, Cardinals, bishops, priests and deacons the very leaders who were called to imitate Christ in serving His people.

Our Lord again is advising us, "Listen to what they say but do not follow their example."

Of course, there are also many more great examples of authentic leaders in the church, like St. Paul in the second reading, who presents himself and all who are dedicated to preaching the Gospel, saying, 

"we were gentle among you, as a nursing mother cares for her children…working day and night not to burden any of you.”

However, whether good or bad teachers, the Lord reminds us there is only one true teacher, one true Rabbi.  We should never lose sight of Jesus in our lives. Because it is only through Him that we will receive grace, all good comes from Him, all authority flows from Him, all teaching is derived from Him. In our responsorial psalm we chanted, "In you, Lord, I have found my peace."

Only in the Lord can we find true peace. He is the one to trust, to believe, to follow. May our leaders and all who serve the Lord, imitate Him well in humility and be shielded from the temptation to mis-lead or abuse their privileged position in authority and power. Amen.