I thought I could need a little warm up for my brain before I go into writing a news article for Today's Catholic. I realised that I haven't been writing much these days, thus my rusty brain. Even though that article seems to be rather easy to write (well, at least the Editor thought so), apparently it is not so for me since: 1. it's very last minute; and 2. I'm a person who just cannot cope with last minute work... and the end result has never been satisfactory.
Alright. Putting work aside for now and trying to recall a particular situation which I came across two months ago.
Keeping the long story short... I found out that this person, who holds a high position in one of the local catholic organisations in charge of newsletters production, the person whom I looked up upon highly, did something very selfish. It was an act that is unfair to all those who had contributed to the newsletter that month (these contributors were not aware of it). I was totally disappointed, and I could hardly believe what I've witnessed. Since then the good impression I had towards this person has changed. I'm now more reserved and careful when working with this person.**
A thought struck me: Being a leader in the church is easy; being a good leader after Christ's own heart is not. Jesus mentioned leadership in the Gospel, "... whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all" (Mark 10:43-45). In other words, good leaders are those with humble hearts.
Although I'm currently one of the Core Team members in the Parish Youth Ministry, I don't see myself as a leader. I cannot see myself as a leader because I'm just not qualified! I do not possess the most important quality of a leader -- humility. I would rather have the lowliest position in the ministry... a servant. I like receiving instructions, not giving them.
Ever since Pope John Paul II returned to our Heavenly Father, I've been searching for another [human] leader whom I can follow, but so far, there is no one like Pope John Paul II.
Of course, being a Christian all of us are called to lead by example, no matter who we are. Be it a parish councillor or a worker assigned to keep the toilets and church compound clean and tidy, we ought to spread the Good News to others. And the best way to do it is through example.
Here in Kuching, we sometimes see non-Catholic Christians going door to door to tell people about the Good News. For me personally, I do not quite agree with such a method. What's the use when you do not practise what you preach? Well, unless you're happy with non Christians calling you "hypocrites".
A reminder for myself (and everyone else): At the end of everyday, it is important to look at myself and see if I've ever been rude, inconsiderate, selfish and unreasonable during the day, which not just left bad impressions on both Catholics and non-Catholics alike, but also prevented the Lord to work through me and those people I came in contact with during the day.
**Note: I have no intention of putting the person down. It is for my own personal reflection only.
