What kind of leaders would Jesus want?
On the other hand, I'm characteristically of the pragmatic bent
one person's junk is usually just that. But even in my hardness of heart, I am surprised every so often.
And so it was, that after one of her recent foragings, Marian brought home a pristine copy of the decade old Living Buddha, Living Christ by Thich Nhat Hanh, a Vietnamese Buddhist monk known as a venerated Thây, or teacher.
As his reflections unfold, Thich Nhat Hanh weaves numerous parallels between the persons of Jesus and Siddhartha, evidence of his deep knowledge and loving respect for both teachers as gateways to the Holy. His writings, my only way to connect with him, rapidly helped me understand why Thomas Merton loved him as a fellow monk and traveler.
In September, the CORPUS board determined that we would organizationally spend the next year focusing on what kind of leaders would Jesus want? as we embrace the present reality of our connectedness, or lack thereof, with our institutional Church. Our voice and our presence would try to sow more seeds where we are planted of what a reformed, renewed priesthood of all believers might be about.
More and more, I am coming to appreciate that this mission of ours, the CORPUS mission, is at its core, not about who gets to be ordained. It is about how the Catholic faith community lives the life of the Risen Christ in this world. It is about how my daily life intersects with the daily lives of others in compassion, respect, and connectedness. It is about stretching the bounds of inclusion until it can be said "see how these believers love even non-believers."
Let me be clear
I still believe that one of the most important internal issues facing the Roman Catholic Church at this moment in history is whom the community calls into roles of leadership.
But for me, the reason for change is not just so that my daughter has equal rights to leadership in my Church as my son. It is because, as one of the most powerful voices on this planet, as long as the Catholic Church models gender discrimination as "God?s will" it justifies continued religious, social, and economic discrimination practiced by all.
Imagine a Catholic Church removing barriers to Christian ecumenical unity and exhibiting a truly collaborative service leadership role in the World Council of Churches.
Imagine a Catholic Church respecting faith wherever it presents itself that it celebrates the many mansions in the Father's house, or sees that it is the way Jesus lived that is the gateway to life.
As convinced as Jesus was that God radically loves everyone that it welcomes to Eucharist any and all spiritual travelers.
So sure that in Christ there is no distinction between male and female that it becomes a model for "breaking the glass ceiling" that keeps women out of top roles in church, government, and corporations.
Understanding that quality of life after birth, the availability of clean air, clean water, nourishing food, and education are as sacred as the months after conception, or the moments leading to death.
Comprehending the fragile nature of our planetary ecosystem that "sins against nature" mean something other than disapproved genital contact.
Holding itself to the same standards of economic and social justice as it projects for the rest of society.
Embracing and collaborating with the best of current scientific, social, medical and psychological studies.
Willing to give another chance to people in failed marriages as it is to clerical lapses of celibate commitment.
So awed by the presence of God manifest in all creation that a church building would not be the only place to celebrate the birth of a marriage, or child, or transition into new life.
Then, imagine that you are the presence of that Catholic Church. Imagine that you are the leader Jesus wants!!
May you find many reasons to be thankful at Thanksgiving, opportunities of expectant hope during Advent, joy in the ground of all being at Christmas, and may new promise unfold for you in the coming New Year.
Peace and blessings.
Russ Ditzel
ADSUM: November / December 2006
