Guest Blog - "Do what they tell you, but do not follow their example" - Fr Kevin O'Shea

Today's Gospel (31st Sunday of Year - 30th October 2011) reminds us of the saying "Do as I say not as I do". Jesus is contrasting what the scribes and Pharisees say about the Law - and how they act. They do not, as He says, practise what they preach. Not only that - but their teaching about the Law and its regulations placed great burdens on people while they themselves did nothing to help.

Their role, as they see it puts them above other people and they demand - and obviously get - plenty of attention and respect from those around them. Jesus is not impressed. He turns to His disciples and the people who have gathered to listen and states quite forcibly that this is not how it is to be among them. Their model of leadership was to be that of service.

Today people are more impressed by witness rather than by talk, and if they listen to leaders, it is because they see their leaders practise what they preach.

Sadly in recent years those in leadership in our Church have failed. Frequently we read about the sex scandals among the clergy & the irresponsible response of some Bishops who sought to preserve the status quo rather than let the truth be known. The harsh words from the prophet Malachi of his day echo through the centuries: "And now, O priests, this command is for you .... I will send the curse on you .... You have turned aside from the way; you have caused many to stumble..."

Let us pray God's mercy on our priests who have failed and be grateful those who have witnessed to true leadership through their faithful service. As a result of these scandals many may be tempted to leave the Church but Jesus is asking us to stand firm. Jesus' message is clear: we are a church of sinners from top to bottom. He warned us that there would be scandals, but we are not to lose heart. The message of the kingdom stands, no matter how corrupt the messenger. "Do what they tell you, but do not follow their example."

Unfortunately the clerical leadership in our church continues despite the call of the Vatican Council to usher in the era of the laity. In my opinion change will begin from the grass roots and not from the top: hence everyone of us must take our call to leadership in this parish seriously and not leave it to others - always remembering that Jesus has called us to servant leadership - those who exalt themselves will be humbled - and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

Fr. Kevin O'Shea, C.M.

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Fr Kevin O'Shea is the Parish Priest of the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church in Mill Hill. This article was orignally published in the Sunday notes section of the Church website - http://shmi.info/
The Barnet Eye is always happy to take guest blogs and articles which are relevant to living in London and Barnet. These will be published without editing/comments. We welcome interesting and thought provoking contributions on any issue. The editors decision is final. Guest blogs can be submitted via the link in the side bar.

Guest Blog - Be True to Yourself

To be true to yourself means to act in accordance with who you are and what you believe.

If we know and love ourselves we will find it easier to be true to others. Just as we cannot love anyone else until we first love ourselves, we cannot be true to others until we are true to ourselves. Let us have the courage to accept ourselves as we really are, not as someone else thinks we should be. Let us not be behaving or pretending to be someone else for the sake of gaining acceptance. 

Pretence starts early in life with the pressure to keep up appearances. Children are sometimes taught to let on that things are better at home than they really are. Appearances count for more than the truth does. Honesty, especially about one's feelings, may be alright but must be kept in its place, a very private place. Pretence can so easily become a way of life. Most people engage in a little sometimes.

Children are experts at it, but they usually know when they are pretending and hopefully grow out of it as they mature. Pretending adults can grow into their pretences with tragic consequences.

Self-worth comes from being true to who we are and from acting in accordance with our inner convictions. It means accepting and acknowledging our successes and our failures before God and others. 

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Extracts from "Sunday Notes" by Fr Kevin O'Shea, Parish Priest at Sacred Heart Church Mill Hill. Guest Blogs are always welcome at the Barnet Eye