Friday 25 July 2008

Background

Travelling on foot through Galilee, listening to Jesus, watchinghow he responds and talking together with the men and women who arefollowing him - these are the ways a disciple learns from themaster.

But where is it all going? What will I get out of this? Where do Ifit into the pecking order of this group? All of these are veryhuman questions that must have been in the hearts, minds andconversations of the group as they walked. But note how little theyseem to have learnt from Jesus about his radical way of life.

Today is the feast day of St James - one of the two brothers inthis story who approached Jesus with their request for preferentialtreatment. It's no wonder that this attempt threatens the unity ofthe band of followers and makes the brothers unpopular.

It prompts a strong and direct intervention from Jesus that veryclearly states how Christian leaders are to behave. But far toomany Church leaders throughout history seem not to have read thispassage!

How refreshing that a saint is celebrated through a story thatshows how little, at that moment, he understood the master.Following Jesus is a journey of self-discovery, which requirescareful listening and paying heed to the message.

The symbols that have come to represent St James include thescallop shell of pilgrimage. It has also featured strongly as asymbol of the Methodist Church.

To Ponder

In what ways can we offer leadership throughservice at work, in the community and in the Church?

If this is the way of Jesus, how radically mustwe change our churches in order to be faithful followers?