Leader, pleader

THE STORY is told about a mother who named all his six sons Joselito. When asked how her children get to know whom she is calling, her response was: "Oh, that's easy. I call them by their family names."

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In today's Gospel (John 10, 1-10), we are shown that Jesus, the Good Shepherd, knows and calls his sheep by name. How consoling to know that we have a God who knows each one of us by name and who loves each one of us. Yes, we are loved, more than we know, more than we realize. We are not worthy, but we are worthwhile and important in God's eyes. Do you treat yourself and others as persons dear to God's heart? Do you look at yourself and at others as sons and daughters of God?

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There are good shepherds and there are bad shepherds, as there are good leaders and bad leaders. Today's Gospel tells us that the very first trait of a good leader is that he or she is not a thief, a robber, or one who steals. Right away, think of a leader, any leader, be he or she in government, church, military, or even in the family: If he or she is a thief or a cheat, he or she is not a good leader. He or she who robs us of our money, of our dignity, and of our dreams is not a good leader.

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Another trait of a good shepherd or a good leader is that he or she walks ahead. In other words, a leader leads, especially by example. If there is a good example from the top, all the rest below will follow. A leader, as the word itself suggests, is one who leads-not misleads-others. We add: a good leader is one who knows how to lead and also how to plead. Likewise, he or she knows when to lead and when to plead.

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There is an interesting story about the successor of Mother Teresa of the Missionaries of Charity. When told by a reporter that it must be hard for her to be in the shoes of Mother Teresa, her reply was: "Not at all. I wear my shoes, and she walks with me." As we await the outcome of the conclave for the next pope, we are one in the thought that Pope John Paul II would be a tough act to follow, but, we are also sure that whoever will be the next pope, he will be shepherded by the Good Shepherd Himself.

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Last April 11, 2005, I attended a 50th birthday celebration upon the request of physicians Johnny and Nemy Platon. What made this birthday special was the celebrant himself, Tata San Juan, who has spent 25 years in bed as a result of a motorcycle accident. Half of his life has been spent in suffering and dependence on his loved ones. You'd think Tata would be such a miserable and pitiful person? Not at all. He was so full of joy, optimism, courage and gratitude, especially for the Mass celebrated in his house on his 50th birthday. I can't help but praise God for this wounded and disabled sheep who has remained in the sheepfold and who has held on to the good shepherd, all these years.

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Pope John Paul II has shown us what a good shepherd is. He always had the good of the flock uppermost in his mind. Even when he was maligned for his views, he stood his ground for the sake of his flock. At some point, he wanted to resign for health reasons, but he held on, with much pain and sacrifice, for the good of all.

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Remember the story about a boy who was named "Amazing" by his father? He became the butt of jokes because of his name, so much so that he asked that his name be not inscribed in his tombstone so that people would forget it. And so on his tombstone were written just the date of birth and the date of death. Whenever people saw this, they always ended up saying, "that's amazing!" We look at leaders like Pope John Paul II and we all say "an amazing leader." We look at many of our leaders in the Philippines, and we say "amassing leaders."

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Got this thought provoking text message: "If religion has done nothing to your temper, it has done nothing to your soul." There are people who claim to be spiritual and religious but don't have much gentleness and peace. We need shepherds who are not only good, but also nice, i.e., humble, honest, affective, joyful and inspiring. Let us all pray that by next Sunday, we will already have a good and nice shepherd pope. This we ask in Jesus' name through the intercession of our Blessed Mother. Amen.

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Father Ewald Dinter, SVD, our confrere working with our indigenous people in Mindoro, happily announces that on May 1, Doyet A Hanunoo, will become the first Mangyan woman to become a religious sister, belonging to the S.Sp.S. (Sister Servants of the Holy Spirit). What a joy to see that those who were shepherded have become shepherds themselves. May there be more men and women who will respond to the priestly and religious life.

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A moment with the Lord:

Lord, teach me to be a leader who knows how and when to lead and to plead. Amen.

E-mail jorbos@manila-online.net