"Be Brave and Steadfast

Today's Mass Readings

Today we celebrate the feast of Saint Maximilian Mary Kolbe, a highly venerated priest and martyr of the Catholic church. He was arrested with several of his Fransciscan brothers on 19 September 1939 following the Nazi invasion of Poland. On 28 May 1941 he was transferred to Auschwitz and branded as prisoner 16670. In July 1941 there was an escape from the camp. Camp protocol, designed to make the prisoners guard each other, required that ten men be slaughtered in retribution for each escaped prisoner. Francis Gajowniczek, a married man with young children was chosen to die for the escape. Maximilian volunteered to take his place, and died as he had always wished - in service. Today’s readings are about Christian leadership. Moses, in today’s first reading, his led his people thus far. He was debarred from entering the Promised Land for his unconditional disobedience of God. Moses accepted God’s will and now he is ready to pass the mantle to Joshua. His advice to Joshua? “Be brave and steadfast… (Deut 31:7), and “It is the Lord who marches before you; he will be with you and will never fail you or forsake you” (Deut 31:8).

In the gospel reading Jesus continues this theme. Using the imagery of a shepherd, Jesus tells his disciples that true leadership lies in total commitment to God and the flock, for “it is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost” (Mt 18:14).

Every person who is entrusted to us in any form of relationship – our spouse, children, parents, family, friends and colleagues – is part of our flock. It was not God’s will the even one of the people of Israel should be lost; it was not Jesus’ will that even one of the people he ministered to should be lost; and it is not the Father’s will that any of the ones entrusted to us should be lost.

We are today’s Moses, Joshua, and Maximilian Kolbe. Let us lead in love and genuine service. Let us be "brave and steadfast."