24 May, Saturday — “Do as I do and not as I say…”

Saturday of the 5^th Week of Easter

Acts 16:1-10
Jn 15:18-21

“A servant is not greater than his master…”

Over the past few months, we have seen the election of new leaders. We have a new Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV. We have elected new government leaders in Singapore and of course, there is a new President in the United States.

And as the votes were tallied, especially in the US and Singapore elections, most of us were already speculating what the future would look like or even what “parts of the chicken” we would have to give back to the government.

But what really struck me in the last few weeks, was that it seemed that the whole world was just focused on a single chimney in Vatican City. And when white smoke appeared, we could feel the anticipation of who would be the leader and shepherd of the 1.4 billion Catholics around the world. This is an announcement like none other, as with other elections, we would already have known who the new leader would be. But when Pope Leo XIV appeared on the balcony, many of us would have felt a certain sense of déjà vu, as in 2013, – this person, dressed in white, was someone that we did not expect.

I especially resonated with Pope Leo’s first words – “Peace be with you all”, as Jesus said to his disciples when He first appeared to them in the upper room. His opening address filled me with optimism as he sought to be the bridge for all Catholics and emphasized that God’s love overcomes evil and that we are all held in God’s care. A leader after Jesus’ actions and teachings on unity, and care for the poor.

I have been blessed in my career to have had leadership positions. Leadership is not for everyone and ironically, so many people want to be leaders, although they are not cut out for it. There are so many poor leaders and the best thing is – they cannot see it for themselves.

The best leaders I have had are those that demand high standards, yet acknowledge that they do not know everything and are willing to learn and receive feedback. Those that don’t need to speak all the time and are also fair. In my own leadership journey, I have learnt that being ‘kind’ is not always a good thing. And that respect needs to be earned through actions and not with eloquent words or charisma.

As what Jesus shows in the scriptures, He leads by example. Jesus touches the bier carrying the widow’s dead son. He touches the leper to cure him. He makes a paste and puts it over the blind man’s eyes. Jesus also empowers the 72 disciples to preach the gospel, heal the sick and cast out demons.

But even though Jesus works all these miracles and empowers His disciples to do the same, He never says that He does it on His own — He always gives glory to God the Father, who directs all things. Hence, we must never forget that in our own life journeys, we must always give glory to God, who is the Master of us all. Although God may empower us, we can only do it if He allows it. As it is written:

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”(Phil 4:13)

As we live in this world with our new leaders, let us pray that God will continue to lead and guide them, that their hearts be open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit to make decisions that will benefit the many, rather than the few.

May God bless our leaders and that they always remember that there is only one ultimate Master – and He is the Lord, our God.

(Today’s OXYGEN by Calvin Wee)

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we pray for our leaders. We ask you to bless them and empower them. That they may be leaders that will follow the heart and teachings of Jesus. Amen.

Thanksgiving: Thank you Lord, for the gift of our leaders. May their hearts be open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, that their decisions will be for the benefit of the many and not for the few. Amen.