The injunction to forgive seven times if an apology is offered results in an unlikely response, “Increase our faith!” However, if one thinks about it, only a person of faith would be able to forgive seven times. Most of us would simply decide to turn away from someone who hurts us that often. Only a person who really believes in God’s mercy would be able to act in this manner.
The first reading comes from one of the so-called “pastoral” letters. They are called pastoral because they deal with issues of leadership in the community. Though I was not part of the discussions at this weekend’s community days, I suspect that your discussions at such meetings are very much like those the friars have when preparing for chapter. One exercise that seems to be perennial is that of listing the qualities we are looking for in a new leader. After jotting down all the necessary characteristics, someone will suggest that we simply ask Jesus to return and take up the position of being the minister.
At least we can take comfort in the knowledge that when the early Christian community was looking for leaders, they also seem to be describing Jesus. To be able to find all the listed characteristics in one person would be a superhuman feat.
There is one quality, however, that is absolutely necessary. Leaders must be people of faith. Indeed, we might actually pray that God increase the faith of our leaders. Men and women of faith are able to pick through the myriad problems that are part of our world and focus our attention on the important part of who we are. We believe that Jesus, God’s Only Begotten One, came among us as one like us and that he died for our sins. It is that faith that makes us holy, temperate, just, self-controlled and a lover of goodness. “Lord, increase their faith.”
Fr. Lawrence Jagdfeld, O.F.M., Administrator