Christ
the King!
Jesus the
Leader!!
Dr. APJ Abdul Kalaam narrates an incident about Mr. Satish
Dawan the then chief of ISRO under whom he worked as the Project Director
for PSLV-III. "Several of us worked
for over 10 years. The day arrived for
its launch! The countdown began. 44, 43, 42, 41 and 40, the computer put on hold the launch!
There was a leak in the fuel system.
All the experts were called and we analysed and finally I made a
decision to launch it. But instead of
putting it into the orbit we put in the bay of Bengal. We were nervous. But Satish Dawan came to us and said,
"come on let us go and meet the press". I was all the more nervous! But he faced the press. He said, "I have confidence in my
team. We will launch it successfully
within a year." So, we worked hard
and in 1980 July 18th we did launch PSLV-III successfully. He came to us again and told me, "Come on, Go and meet the
press!". He took failure upon
himself! and gave the team the credit
for success."
On the contrary, there is a subaltern history unfolding about
Nicholas Tesla who invented many things but Mr. Thomas Alva Edison took credit
for them, they say!
A boss commands! A
leader co-ordinates!!
A boss needs attention!
A leader recognizes!! (Read Lk: 11/43)
Bosses Push! Leaders
lead!!
Boss speaks! Leader
listens!!
A leader rolls up his/her sleeves and gets involved! A boss sits on top and monitors!! (Read Jn: 10/11-16) (Read Lk: 11/45)
The world stinks with "Bossiness"! Look at the popular figures! Look at our leaders! The politicians, cinema artists, businessmen,
the rich, caste infected persons and
other such! The proud look, the
alienation they create and the distance they enjoy, the subservient people
around, the artificial security, heightened temper and what not!
Mr. Kakkan was a home minister in Tamilnadu. He lost an election. He submitted his office, the very next day,
took a train from Madras to Madurai in III class (There was one then! No seats and normally they carry cattle in it. The poor used to travel by it.), took a town
bus from Madurai to Melur and walked 7 kilometers to Thumpaipatty his
native village and took upon farming for his daily living. After some years, he became sick and was
admitted to the government hospital in Madurai.
MGR the then chief minister happened to be in Madurai on that day and the news was put
in his ears and he visited him. He was
laying down on the corridors of the hospital along with other patients. He did not claim his privileges! (Read
Phi: 2/11)
A lot of people enjoy and get excited on hearing eulogises. Corrupted are projected as saviours. Spoilers
are titled as protectors. Looters become
leaders.
Exaggerated slogans, Untrue attributions, Pumped up images have
become as though normal. Unfortunately the world seem to believe it and
many take pleasure in it.
Jesus exhibits a fantastic type of leadership! He easily moves with people especially among
the weaker section. He is in touch with
human sentiments, feelings and fears of people.
His options were clear and therefore, not meddling around the middle
path trying to please everyone. He was
strong on the side of the victims especially the social victims. He was bold in articulation not mincing
words.
Pope Francis invited his priests to "be shepherds with
the smell of the sheep". (EG24)
Leader, Focuses on the people! Boss is preoccupied with him/her self!
You may be teacher, you may be the head of a family, You may
be the village head, you may be a priest, you may be a principal of a school,
Superior in a religious house!; the invitation is to be a leader! Leader like Jesus! For him, leadership was a ministry, a
service, and a commitment!
When you choose to be a leader, people make you their
king! When the songster Mr. SP Balasubramaniyan was down with Covid
19, there were also "big ministers" admitted in hospitals for the
same infection. But SPB won the hearts
of millions. Therefore It is not power
and autocracy that makes you big rather, It is humility and humanity in you makes
you great!
The difference between the leader and the boss is a synonym
between a shepherded and a butcher! The
biggest problem for the sheep is that most butchers wear a shepherd's garb!
Jesus chose to be the leader and we made him our King!
Leonard CSC
