Ecclesiasticus 2:1-11 / Mark 9:30-37
One of the expectations of a leader is to be an inspiration for others and to give them hope.
He is expected to show directions and to lead the way.
And the followers would also like to hear nice words from the leader.
The followers would like to hear of prosperity and of good and happy times to come.
But when Jesus was instructing His disciples, He talked about suffering and death.
He said that He Himself will be delivered into the hands of men and be put to death, but He will rise again after three days.
Obviously His disciples didn’t know what to make out of that.
Because if that is to happen to their leader, then what would happen to them.
But they were afraid to ask Jesus, maybe because they also don’t want to know what lies in store for them in the future.
But the 1st reading made it clear that if one aspires to serve the Lord, then be prepared for an ordeal.
And just as gold is tested in the fire, those who are chosen by the Lord will be tested in the furnace of humiliation.
But in all the trials and tribulations, a person who is chosen by God will put his trust in the Lord.
And those chosen by God will also be able to show others how to follow God and lead them in the ways of God.
Let us pray for Christian leaders that they follow Jesus and to show others the way to God.