On the 32nd Week in Ordinary Time (Year II), in Monday’s First Reading (Titus 1:1-9), Paul gave his pastoral advice to Titus, who was installed as bishop of Crete by him, as to ordaining priests (vv.5-6) and necessary character to serve as bishop (vv.7-9). Then, the Gospel Reading (Luke 17:1-6) addresses that pastoral leaders, as overseen by bishop, must confront and judiciously resolve scandals, to ensure that it will not spread throughout his diocese, like an infectious disease. It also encourages pastoral leadership to bring those who cause scandals to penance and reconciliation.
The readings of Tuesday of Tuesday of the 32nd Week (Titus 2:1-8, 11-14 and Luke 17:7-10) continue to address pastoral leadership.
The First Reading (Titus 2:1-8, 11-14) gives pastoral advice for teaching. What is indispensable for teaching is to instruct and guide people with sound doctrine (Titus 2:1; cf. 1:9). This means that bishop must be well-versed with the Church’s doctrine, which is based on Christ’s teaching, as passed by the Apostles, including Paul. Because he is also God’s steward (Titus 1:7), bishop must defend it at all costs, refuting heresies (Titus 1:9). Therefore, bishop teach the old and the young, men and women of all of all walks of life with sound doctrine, so that the elderly can teach and guide the young so that they grow well-disciplined, especially with self-control.
The discipline cultivation is essential because the teaching should aimed to make sure people pastored by bishop’s pastoral leadership can endure with blessed hope in preparing themselves for the return of Christ. Thus, Paul wrote to Titus, bishop of Crete:
For the grace of God has appeared, saving alle and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age, as we await the blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of the great God and of our savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to deliver us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people as his own, eager to do what is good. Say these things. Exhort and correct with all authority. Let no one look down on you (Titus 2:11-15).
In fact, all the pastoral ministries in the Church are geared to save the souls of the faithful. Therefore, bishop’s pastoral leadership is aimed for salvation of soul, as it is the supreme law of the Church (Salus animarum lex maxima Ecclesiae)(Canon 1752). And Peter, the first Pope wrote:
Although you have not seen him you love him; even though you do not see him now yet believe in him, you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, as you attain the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls (1 Peter 1:8-9).
Bishop pastors his diocese as God’s steward (Titus 1:7). It means that bishop manages his diocese with sound doctrine (Titus 1:9; 2:1). But bishop’s managerial pastoral leadership also means the practice of humble servantship, as reminded by the Gospel Reading (Luke 17:7-10). Being a leader and steward (manager), there is no space for arrogance and selfish interest at all. So, Jesus said the future Apostles while they were still the disciples, learning to be sent as the Apostles:
Who among you would say to your servant who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, “Come here immediately and take your place at table”? Would he not rather say to him, “Prepare something for me to eat. Put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink. You may eat and drink when I am finished”? Is he grateful to that servant because he did what was commanded? So should it be with you. When you have done all you have been commanded, say, “We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do” (Luke 17:7-10).
Because they were to become the first pastoral leaders of his Church, after his ascension and Pentecost, Jesus wanted to make sure that they would understand to serve God and His people with self-denying humility, not to bask in praises, in their pastoral leadership. And the essence of the pastoral leadership is symbolically summarized as “unprofitable servants”, which means “unworthy servants”.
From Pope to local bishops, as well as priests and deacons, are all these pastoral leaders truly humble servants of God and His people, being “unprofitable servants”? It is our responsibility to make sure they really are to protect the Church from scandals.
Pastoral leaders, from Pope down to deacons, as well as lay ecclesial leaders, serve God and His people as “unprofitable servants”, but with sound doctrine and discipline for salvation of souls.
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