Today’s readings show two very different models of leadership. One is power-hungry, jealous of his own reputation, and vengeful. Saul is willing to destroy even his greatest ally to protect his pride and his power. Jesus, on the other hand, brings not power, but mercy.
Today’s Gospel reading from Mark directly follows the curing of the man with the withered hand. In that pericope, Jesus asks, “Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?” Jesus’ own pride is not the concern; the literal law is not his concern—Jesus is interested in doing good and saving life. He reveals God, who is not obsessed with power, who is not jealous or vengeful in human ways, but who is willing to adapt even His own law.
In Jesus, God demonstrates willingness to sacrifice reputation, and ultimately even life itself, to show the greatest mercy possible. Jesus’ healing actions, in defiance of “the rules,” are what draw the people in today’s reading. They come to him because they hear what he is doing. What he is doing is living the fullness of mercy.
How do I live into mercy? Where do I cling to power, jealousy, or resentment? How do I, as a Christian, raise up the kind of leadership to which Jesus calls all of us? How do I provide a fair and honest critique of leadership that is incompatible with God’s vision? I have to pray and work with God to be freer of the things that can put a cap on mercy, first in my own heart. If I’m too worried about just protecting “me and my own,” if I’m too concerned about what other people will think, if I permit unjust rules (or even laws) to undermine my conscience, I will not be free enough for mercy.
I am called to start with my own heart, but this is not where the work ends. If I am truly converted into God’s mercy, my belief will lead to action. What this looks like will be different for each of us, and it requires discernment. It begins by looking honestly at my own life as well as the systems in which I participate. Then I ask God how we can co-labor to bring me, my Church, my nation, and my world into an increase of mercy. I cannot fix it all. But I can be available for the particular to which God calls me.
I pray for God to free the necessary space in me, and in us, so that we can share God’s single-minded focus on doing good, saving life, living the fullness of mercy, regardless of the cost.
Sara Schulte-Bukowinski
Originally from central Nebraska, where my home diocese of Grand Island nurtured vocations to lay ministry, I pursued Divinity studies and completed my M.Div. at the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley in 2007. After 12 years doing formation and education in Catholic schools I was able to respond to my vocation in a different way by stepping into my current role as a lay pastoral minister (Parish Life Director) at St. John’s Church on Creighton’s campus. I live in Omaha with my husband Adam, our dog Lilly, and as of 2022 my parents-in-law Ann and George.
In graduate school I was fortunate to take a course from the illustrious theologian and Johannine scholar, Saundra Schneiders. I still remember her talking about the location where ongoing scriptural revelation occurs—in the space between the page and the eyes of the reader. This is where the Divine meets the realities of our lives, in our time and place. I look forward to sharing this encounter together as part of this reflection team.
