The Cross & Service of Leadership & Mission

I once saw a want ad for a pastor containing a long list of the most unattainable qualifications. “Position available. Pastor of a lively, energetic, and challenging parish, willing to work long hours for minimum wage, live in austerity, non-drinker, non-smoker, able to work with children and seniors and everyone in between, rooted in Catholic tradition, steeped in the spirit of Vatican II, a sharp dresser, technologically literate, and politically sensitive. Applicant must possess the faith of Abraham, the physical stature of Moses, the patience of Job, the fire of Jeremiah, the courage of Elijah, the popularity of David, the wisdom of Solomon, the moral integrity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the long-suffering of Joseph, the intelligence of Charles Borromeo, the simplicity of John Vianney, the diplomacy of Catherine of Siena, the vision of John XXIII, the charity of Mother Teresa, the detachment of Francis of Assisi, the musical talent of Yoyo Ma, the athletic prowess of Kobe Bryant, the star power of Matthew McConaughey, and the humility of a well-worn doormat.” I left out a few. Clearly a joke, but curiously, not even Jesus Christ would meet what was required to apply for the job.

We have such high expectations of our leaders, whether civic or religious. We sometimes forget they are as human as we are. We want them to float above our flawed human condition, so we can at all times hold them in high esteem, while they may never disappoint us in any way. But we should also probably refrain from watching, reading, or listening to the news from now on. It’s just easier that way.

Today the church honors the apostles, St. Peter and St. Paul, who exemplify two of the most transformative forms of service to God’s people, the service of leadership and the service of mission. They were seemingly ordinary men coming from completely ordinary backgrounds. Simon Peter was a Galilean fisherman who became one of Jesus’ closest companions in ministry. He was first to recognize Jesus as “the Christ, the Son of the living God.” He famously denied Jesus three times the night before his passion. And Jesus singled him out as one on whose profession of faith he would build his church. Paul of Tarsus was raised in the tradition of the Pharisees and became a zealous persecutor of Christians in Jerusalem. He was present at and approved the martyrdom of St. Stephen. And on his way to Damascus one day, he was struck blind, confronted by Jesus in a vision, and his life was turned around completely. Jesus designated Peter to shepherd his flock; and Paul to proclaim the gospel boldly to the Gentiles.

Both eventually ended up in Rome where Peter was crucified upside-down around the year 64 and buried on Vatican hill, over which was built the basilica bearing his name. Paul died by the sword around the year 67. His closest followers first built a memorial over his grave where the basilica now stands bearing his name. Both men nurtured an intimate friendship with Jesus. Both possessed an intense passion for the gospel. And inspired by the Holy Spirit and fueled by their conviction, courage, and self-sacrifice, they were instrumental in launching for the ages a most consequential movement to bring humanity together through God’s gift of mercy and reconciliation.

Honoring these great men today, these heroes of our faith, we recognize and celebrate the legacy entrusted to us to preserve and prosper. The legacy of Peter is the order and stability provided by the pastors Jesus sends to shepherd the church of God. They take his place among us. But Jesus alone is our true Shepherd. We unite under the leadership of our pastors mindful of the baptism we share. They are symbols of unity for God’s flock. And despite sharing our flawed nature as Peter did, our pastors are accountable for their role in the service of God’s church. As the world greeted with great rejoicing the election of Pope Leo XIV, we pray that God keep him healthy and give him strength for many years of faithful ministry. God called and Leo answered. It works the same with all our pastors. No one embraces the role of shepherd to gain popularity or wealth or power. And as with Peter, being shepherd comes with the cross.

The legacy of Paul is the creative vision and missionary work of evangelization, of proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ both to those who have never heard it and to those who need to hear it yet again. In generations past we were limited to seeing this role as primarily the work of the clergy and of communities of religious women and men in developing countries and among native cultures. But the teachings of Vatican Council II invite us to broaden our focus to include all the baptized in the work of proclaiming the gospel joyfully, intentionally, creatively, and convincingly. We all have a stake in the missionary work of the church, not only in far-away places, but with even greater urgency right here in our midst among our sisters and brothers on the margins of society, the vulnerable, the voiceless, the defenseless, the unloved, the forgotten. We catch sight of them on busy streetcorners and in the wrong part of town. But they also live and work among us. Their children attend our schools. They sit with us at church. We are significant partners in the creative vision and missionary work of evangelization in the world. And we are called to embrace the church’s mission not that we might gain popularity or wealth or power, but because the Lord sends us, and we go forth joyfully, intentionally, creatively, and convincingly. And as with Paul, the work of proclaiming the gospel. Comes with the cross.

The great apostles Peter and Paul invite us to embrace the cross and service of leadership and mission entrusted to the whole church and to each of the baptized. We are all shepherds and missionaries to some extent. In the larger scheme, it matters less who is not doing their job well. It matters more whether or not we are becoming that which we are called to be—holy and faithful for the good of all God’s people.

Some years ago when I first decided to answer the call to join a religious order of educators and youth ministers, and eventually to embrace ordained ministry and live and work as a parish priest, I saw nothing out of the ordinary in my choice. Looking back now, the life and work I embraced has taken me halfway around the world, to be a pastor and to proclaim the gospel in a place and among a people I would never have chosen myself. Many of you can probably say much the same, minus joining a religious order or becoming a parish priest. But we are all pastors and missionaries to some extent after the example of Peter and Paul. We won’t always be aware of what God is doing calling us and drawing us into his mater plan. But the work belongs primarily to God and God will not leave any of us to do it without his help. What we must embrace is to be joyful, intentional, creative, and convincing. And yes, the cross.