True Leadership: The Witness of Jesus Christ
July 11, 2023
By Father Christopher Kubat
“The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack.” This is the famous first verse of Psalm 23 in the Bible. It is one of the psalms most people are familiar with. It goes on to say, “He guides me along right paths for the sake of his name … Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for you are with me.” These are powerful words.
What is leadership? In a nutshell, it is possessing the ability to inspire people to follow you. After Jesus began His public ministry he said, “I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep …. I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me” (John 10:11-14). Jesus also said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Sheep follow their shepherd. Jesus says to us, “Follow me” (Mark 1:17).
There is a lot here. Jesus was and is the best leader the world has ever seen and ever will see. He leads by example, the example of love. People will gladly follow a leader they know loves them. Jesus proved this by laying down His life for His sheep. A good leader must be willing to make sacrifices for those they lead.
A good leader is also a man or woman of prayer patterned after Jesus. Jesus prayed for those He led. Having chosen Peter to be the first pope, the first leader of the Church, He said to Simon Peter, “Simon, Simon, behold Satan has demanded to sift you like wheat, but I have prayed that your faith may not fail” (Luke 22:31). Therefore, a good leader prays for those he or she leads.
Where are we leading people ultimately? To eternal life in heaven. If we are men and women of faith, hope and love, people will see we have a special spark and will want it for themselves. They will learn that there is something greater in this life, that living a good life here with the grace of God will prepare them for living a perfect life in heaven.
No matter who we are or what our vocation is, by our humble, prayerful and loving example, we will lead others to heaven where the “…eye has not seen, and ear has not heard, and what has not entered the human heart, what God has prepared for those who love him… The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack.”
National Chaplain Fr. Christopher Kubat, M.D. is the pastor of St. Andrew Catholic Church in Tecumseh, Nebraska and St. Mary Catholic Church in St. Mary, Nebraska. He serves as a member of CMA’s Health Care Policy Committee, Ethics Committee, Awards Committee and Executive Committee.