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Daily Scripture

+ Ascension Thursday

There is no proof; there are only witnesses.

Readings: Acts 1:1-11 Ephesians 1:14-23 Luke 24:46-53

You are witnesses of all these things. And now I am sending down to you what the Father has promised. Stay in the city then, until you are clothed with the power from on high. [Luke 24:50-51]

In an age of technology and scientific progress, we have an explanation for everything or at least the promise of the same. Yet, there are still truly human experiences – both positive and negative—that defy human explanation. Death is one such experience. Doctors know the medical reasons for death but an autopsy doesn’t tell the whole story. Conversely, who can explain the field of energy that binds lovers for life?

During his life on earth Jesus created a field of energy that changed the course of history and it did not cease at his death or even at his resurrection. It continues to this day – locally and globally. Or else how explain the heroism of the saints of yesterday and the saints of today? Women and men, energetic witnesses who have said ‘yes’ to unconditional love under any and all circumstances continue to change the course of history in the face of those who attempt to chain the Word of God. No, most of them are not formal preachers or even religious teachers per se, but people who live the message of the Gospel of Jesus day in and day out.

The gospel today is typical of the departure of a hero. We might even consider it the conclusion of a hero story. Jesus assures his disciples that he is not abandoning them. Not only that but he will send an advocate who will empower them to continue his mission. “You will be clothed with power from on high.” They will be clothed with the mantle of Christ just as the ancient Elijah was clothed in the mantle of Elias before Elias departed in his chariot to the heavens. It’s metaphor and allegory, of course but the underlying truth of Jesus mission will continue to be proclaimed as Good News for all.

But hang in there until Pentecost when the gifts of the Spirit will be renewed and we will be empowered once more to preach the Good News—using words only when necessary.

Best Practices, etc.

Thursday December 13, 2007

This is an interesting ‘take’ on the art of leadership. I don’t think it’s new ‘stuff.’ I’ve heard it all before. My question is this: Is the Church using this as the criteria for ‘best practices’ for bishops and pastors—and for the Pope?

The Laws of Leadership

from William Cohen

The New Art of the Leader

1. Maintain Absolute Integrity
•work to earn the trust and respect of your workers
•never make a worker feel he is being manipulated rather than motivated
•Integrity is the foundation of all that follows. If your workers can’t trust you, you will never be able to motivate them to help you fulfill your goals.
•Integrity is more than telling the truth; it is doing what is right.

2. Know Your Stuff
•Be on top of your own tasks, constantly working to develop and maintain the level of expertise you would like from others at their best.

3. Declare Your Expectations
•Develop your own communication skills and encourage the same in your staff. Do not expect them to read your mind.
•Likewise, do not presume to believe that you know what they think or know.

4. Show Uncommon Commitment
•You must be willing to take risks and sacrifice yourself in order to effectively lead others.
•If your followers see this, they will respond in kind.

5. Expect Positive Results
•Research has shown that the higher your goals, the higher goals you will achieve.

6. Maintain a Positive Attitude
•Without it, you won’t be able to properly motivate your followers by making them feel part of something successful and worthwhile.
•Obstacles, which are part of every challenge, will be insurmountable without a positive attitude.

7. Take Care of Your People
•If your employees or troops know that you care about them and are looking out for their interests, they will follow you to the ends of the earth.
•Take care of your people, and they will take care of you. However, the reverse is also true.

8. Put Duty Before Self
•You must put the interests of the mission and your followers before your own.
•If you do not, you can forget about expecting those under you to give up their own interests in favor of the mission.
The best way to attract and maintain your followers is to make them feel important, promote your vision, treat others as you would be treated, and accept responsibility for your own actions and those of the group.