Ninth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 12)
Rev. Amy Welin:A large organization hired a group of cannibals to lead a restructuring process. They completed a lengthy orientation and got to work. After a few weeks the cannibals’ boss seemed very pleased, but also a little worried. She said, “You’re all working very hard, and I’m satisfied with the outcome. However, one of our secretaries has disappeared. Do any of you know what happened to her?” The cannibals all shook their heads, “No.” After the boss had left, the leader of the cannibals turned and asked the team, “Okay, which one of you idiots ate the secretary?” A hand rose hesitantly in admission. “You fool!” said the leader, “For weeks we’ve been eating managers and no one noticed anything, but you had to go and eat someone important!…”
What do we want and expect from our leaders? We can ask this about our nations, our military, our churches. Do we see the nobility of true leadership when someone talks from a safe and comfortable distance about what they could do? When they flex their lip muscles? Or do we see the nobility of leadership when a person offers their life and their service for the sake of others?
The scripture offers some pertinent insight about the nature of leadership today.
David faces enormous challenges as the King of Israel. He uses power adeptly to unify his kingdom and to defeat the enemies of Israel. He also faces enormous personal ethical challenges. He does better as a warrior than as a human being. David is inclined to satisfy his own lust for power instead of doing what is good for those he rules. When they forget whom they serve, leaders fall into sin.
Jesus is not attracted by the political power of kingship in Israel, which is the reason he withdraws by himself after the miracles recounted in today’s gospel story. He is concerned about the genuine well-being of people who need guidance. Today his disciples see the power of Jesus when the Great Healer walks over the water. Remember that this gospel always portrays Jesus as the divine Son of God. Jesus exceeds our standards for power and strength, and he is not interested in using that power and strength for his own benefit. Jesus is a servant leader. He always serves the need of others.
Also notable: although Jesus can operate alone, he often depends on others. That noble little boy who shares his lunch – five barley loaves and two fish – allows Jesus to frame a miracle in the action of another person. Today’s gospel teaches us that even Jesus needed the work of his disciples. Last week, they went out to heal and to serve, and Jesus was delighted. This week, the disciples are sharing food with the crowd, and five thousand eat. Is the miracle in multiplication? Or in collaboration? That is a mystery.
The historical mythology of leadership is that the best leader is an independent, singular person who accomplishes great things. They do great things. By telling people what to do, leaders give protection, direction, and order. Like King David. It is efficient, and has occasionally led to episodes of misuse of power.
The truth of leadership in difficult times is that it demands not solitary action but collective adaptive wisdom. In our time, an age that mistrusts hierarchies, adaptive leaders rely on the community for insight. They work with others, using collaboration to bring about change. Adaptive leaders serve the group, keeping the big picture in mind. They risk making innovative decisions, because they know that we need to do things differently. When the leaders of the group are inclined to learn about the new context, and are willing to take action, adjusting their strategy as needed, then the endeavor is likely to move forward.
What does all this mean for us? I am hoping that the model of collaborative servant leadership sounds to you like the work of your priest and vestry, as we discern the way to serve the needs of God at St John’s. I am hoping that you can envision yourselves as that noble child, willing to share what you have to benefit the group.
So often we assume that what we have is inadequate for God’s work. We conclude that we have too little – too little money, training, patience – and we throw our hands up in despair. We listen to the voice in our head that proclaims scarcity, insufficiency, poverty. The voice is deceptive. God has given us what we need. And when we choose to share what we have, the outcome is powerful!
Have you ever been surprised when God has done something good with the little you had?
Together with St Paul, I bow my knees and I pray that, according to the riches of God’s glory, Christ will grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being.
God can always make something out of “not much”. Even a bit of faith the size of a mustard seed.
Even a few loaves and a couple of fish.
You are part of the change we need at St John’s. You are part of God’s mission in Waterbury.
Glory to God, whose power working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine. Glory to God from generation to generation in the Church, and in Christ Jesus for ever and ever.