Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

What do we make of the inability of the disciples to listen, let alone truly hear what Jesus is telling them about the suffering that he will experience? Their fear is not only about what will happen to Jesus, but also as his disciples, what it might mean for them. And who could blame them? 

Their fear instigates a flight away from vulnerability into a discussion about who is the greatest; a competitive conversation that pits them against one another as rivals in influence, intelligence, giftedness, fidelity, closeness to Jesus, etc. But what Jesus wants and needs of them is not this kind of competitive positioning of themselves, and not the self-centeredness that separates them from one another and from him. 

At that moment, facing the prospect of the trials to come, he undoubtedly would have appreciated their support, their empathy, and at the very least, their attention to what he was saying. At that moment, Jesus would no doubt have appreciated, not the brawny show of strength or superiority, but the loving support of friends who are attuned to him and what he was trying to share with them about the future, both his and theirs. 

Perhaps it is not so different for us when, in situations that are too hard to bear, we flee into distraction, denial, or self defense, instead of staying with the reality of what is hard at that moment. But instead of hardening ourselves, deflecting or fighting against the vulnerability of the moment, there is another way. 

When Jesus takes the opportunity to instruct them by inviting a child amongst them and to receive that or any child as if she or he were the Christ, he is calling them beyond their ego centeredness and fear to a tenderness and reverence that is softer, more sensitive to the other. With such sensitivity, they are able to perceive the dignity and even the divinity of a child in their midst, as all of us are created in the image and likeness of God. It is only this kind of sensitivity to the other that will help them to hear what Jesus says, to understand and feel with him in union as he undergoes his passion. 

It is this kind of reverent sensitivity that allows us to meet one another not only as peers of equal dignity, but with humility, empathy, and compassion. Indeed, this is the kind of sensitivity to which we are called to live as followers of Jesus, and as members of a Synodal church. 

It raises the question of the quality of the spaces and places within which we live and work… to what extent do our organizational cultures make space of safe shelter, welcome and hospitality to the most vulnerable? To what extent do we provide for a sufficient amount of safety for honest and sensitive realities to be shared without judgment, defensiveness, or retribution? 

And more personally, as leaders, how do we set the tone and offer example of this reverent sensitivity for others, even as we also at times must demonstrate courage, resilience, and strength?

With you on the road,

David and the Discerning Leadership Team