[1]Often people in leadership find it difficult to lead in ways others might disagree with. They find it much easier to deliver smooth agendas and statements that won’t “rock the boat.” This happens time and time again because many leaders want to maintain a certain level of popularity with the people. However, this course of action couldn’t be farther from ideal.[2]
Two years before he was elected pope, Cardinal Karol Wojtyla preached a Lenten retreat to Pope Paul VI and his staff. Subsequently, these meditations were turned into a book called Sign of Contradiction, a title echoing Simeon’s words to Mary and Joseph: “Behold this child is destined…to be a sign that will be contradicted.” (Lk 2:34)
Today’s Gospel might be viewed as one example of this prophecy’s fulfillment, for Jesus clearly provokes contradictory reactions. After seeing Jesus cast a demon out of a mute person, some people were spellbound by Jesus’ power and proclaimed him the greatest thing ever seen in Israel. In this very same audience, however, others labeled Jesus a fraud, charging he was, literally, in league with the devil.
We are left asking, “How can people witness the same event and come to such dramatically different conclusions?” Pastor Chan Kilgore offers this insight: “True Gospel preaching always changes the heart. It either awakens it or hardens it.” This captures the sign of contradiction concept pretty well. One way or another, the message of Jesus should provoke a strong reaction.
In our efforts to spread the Gospel, if we are being met with a “eh, so what?” attitude, then we may not be witnessing properly. In fact, even outright rejection would be a better response than apathy, for at least this would tell us we haven’t taken the sharp, contradictory “bite” out of Jesus’ message. Saint Maria Goretti, in her short life, she may have had trouble with catechism, but she had no trouble with faith. For her God’s will was holiness, decency, respect for one’s body, absolute obedience, total trust. In our complex world of individualism, these values and behaviors may seem to be a sign of contradiction. St. Maria’s faith was simple, she recognized: It is a privilege to be loved by God, and to love him—at any cost.[3] Hence the command of the Mass dismissal to “Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life.” Be a sign of contradiction in your everyday life. It may not make you the most popular person in the world, your community, or your family; but it may start a wrestling match that brings others face to face with God.
[1] Scripture (NABRE), Genesis 32:23-33; Matthew 9:32-38
[2] SAMONNA WATTS, Empowerment Coach. “Good Leaders
Aren’t Always Popular” by SaMonna Watts © 2021
[3] franciscan media, Saint of the Day / Saint
Maria Goretti, posted July 6, 2020
No comments:
Post a Comment