Reading I: Isaiah 11:1-10
Reading II: Romans 15:4-9
GOSPEL: Matthew 3:1-12
It’s hard to be a leader. In fact, it’s much easier to sit back and be an observer, a critic or an armchair quarterback. Who in this world wants to constantly be in the driver’s seat when the person behind the wheel has all the responsibility, hears all the complaints, and lots of times has to fork over the expenses for the trip?
I’m Stumped!
Today’s first reading describes the gifts and graces God bestowed upon his chosen leader, a descendent of Jesse. Because he was faithful to the Father’s call, he was given the ability to guide his people in the best possible way. “A shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom…the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him: a spirit of wisdom and of understanding, a spirit of counsel and of strength.”
With this awesome power, we can imagine the troubles, stress, and problems this relative of Jesse encountered in trying to uphold his duties and office. Ruling over a land and its people, after all, couldn’t have been a picnic.
Most people will be in a leadership position at some point, and will experience the heartache often involved getting a group of people to agree on goals and execute them. A few years ago, I found myself embroiled in a large fundraising campaign for one of my son’s basketball teams. Believe me, working with lots of different personalities, people who are too busy to contribute or work the event, and a heaping wallop of backbiting and bickering can get you down. Several times I found myself thinking, “Hey, let somebody else do it for a change. Then they’ll see how hard it is!” I didn’t want to be a “stump of Jesse.”
Not a Stump? How about a Shoot?
Any group needs solid workers as well as leaders. Consider that there are rewards for a job well done, accomplishments made, and knowing you’ve done your best. These things, along with gaining some soul-satisfaction, are the payback we receive for being leaders and volunteers. And when time or circumstances don’t allow us to actually spearhead a project, we can always help in small ways as “shoots.”
The second reading gives us instruction on how to be Godly shoots. In roles as leaders and helpers, we should be just, fair, wise, and peacemakers. This applies to us no matter our age or position. We can exhibit these characteristics in our roles as parents, students, friends, business people, or community and church volunteers. From these positions, we have a chance to shine and put into action the good qualities outlined in Scripture.
Three-part Harmony
These practical readings tell us to be smart, helpful, just, kind, and hard workers, no matter what others do. It’s really a three-part harmony we are looking for in working with or leading others – harmony with self (am I relying on my faith to guide my actions?); harmony with God (do I trust Him to guide me?); and harmony with others (am I considering others and their talents?).
To sum up, we can accomplish great things when we welcome others, reach out a hand, use wise judgment, rely on God for direction, plant a seed, fertilize a shoot, or cultivate/become a stump.
One Last Thing
In case we get confused or bogged down in our leadership and helping roles, the Gospel today gives us the example of John the Baptist. If we look at how he accomplished mighty goals, we can do similarly good things.
In this saint, we have a refresher course on responsibility and achievement. By remembering our baptismal promise that we are special children of God, taking opportunities to evangelize through word and action, and acknowledging/confessing our sins, we walk in faith a little more each day. Our shoots and stumps will bear good fruit. Remember, we all spring from the Great Vine!
Life Applications:
Are you a sprout, a shoot, or a weed? How can you improve your status?
How can you take on more of a leadership role in your life?
What leadership qualities can you encourage in yourself and others?
Check out the REAL Word Podcast for the 2nd Sunday of Advent (Cycle A):
Original article by Angie Ledbetter, 2004-2022.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.