Invitation to Leaders, “Be Watchful”

Yesterday was the first Sunday of Advent. The start of a new liturgical year. Jesus’ message in the Gospel was simple and pointed, especially to leaders, “Be watchful!”

Several years ago, I travelled to Africa. I stayed with a small community of priests at a religious institute in The Gambia. I was there to plan a mission trip for young adults. It was the first time I met a real-life “gatekeeper”, a night-time employee of the Institute. He was hired because of my visit. The gatekeeper carried nothing to protect himself or the property. His job was to stay alert and watch over the Complex all night. Should anyone attempt to enter, he was to alert the police.

The bulk of his energy was spent distracting himself to stay awake. He was not hoping that someone would enter, certainly not joyfully expecting it. In fact, his deepest hope was that no one would show up!

Juxtapose the gatekeeper I met in Africa, with what Jesus is asking of us when he says, “Watch, stay alert.” He is not asking us to enter a battle of the will to stay awake. His invitation is not to keep our eyes open, but to open our hearts. Jesus is inviting us to desire.  

Jesus invitation to watch and stay alert is not so much a fight of the will to stay awake, as it is a journey of the heart, a desire to see the One for whom we long. Click To Tweet

This desire was beautifully illustrated in a scene from The Chosen video series. I am referring to when the shepherds first heard the news, “Today, in the city of David, a child has been born for you, He is Christ the Lord.”

In The Chosen, the shepherds are depicted as a diverse group. Some religious, many indifferent. Most had little interest in the coming of the Messiah nor an understanding of what the Angels greeting was all about. 

There was one special young man among them. He was an apprentice, just learning the ropes. As the new kid on the block, he was often the object of their practical jokes and jabs. He was a devout Jew, God-fearing and honourable. More than anything, he wanted to see the day where the people Israel would welcome their Messiah. He knew in his heart, the day was arriving soon. He lived with an eager expectation of seeing Christ on earth and following Him with his whole heart.

He knew in his heart, the day was arriving soon. He lived with an eager expectation of seeing Christ on earth and welcoming Him. That is what it means to be watchful and stay alert. Click To Tweet

Unlike the gatekeeper I met in Africa, who wanted nobody to show up, the young shepherd was actively waiting for Christ’s coming. He was so excited to hear the angels greeting, that he started running to the stable and forgot about his disabled leg. What followed was miraculous and edifying.

His “watching” was so different than the watching of a typical gatekeeper. His is an example we should follow. That night the young shepherd saw with His eyes what his heart had seen coming for years. Because he so desired to see the day at hand, he could perceive the prophetic moment for what it truly was, unlike his shepherd peers. Love is very far-sighted. 

Because he so desired to see the day come, he could perceive the prophetic moment for what it truly was, a rescue mission was at hand. Love is very far-sighted. Click To Tweet

Advent is a time to remind leaders of their perpetual call to “be watchful, to stay alert.” More than anything else, we are called to a prophetic ministry – to fix our hearts on the coming of Jesus in our time, in His way and to signal His presence for all to see. Advent is a reminder of the prophetic nature of pastoral leadership. 

Advent is a time to remind leaders of their perpetual call to “be watchful, to stay alert.” More than anything else, modern ministry needs to be a prophetic ministry. Click To Tweet

Prophetic leadership is Simeon in the temple recognizing the epic moment, “My eyes have seen thy salvation” while everyone else only saw a young family fulfilling their temple obligation. It is the apostle John who was the first to recognize Jesus on the shores of the Lake of Galilee and brings attention to His presence, “It is the Lord!” It is Saint Pope John Paul II when he said, “I see the dawning of a new missionary age which will become a radiant day bearing an abundant harvest.”

There is no pastoral leadership without prophetic listening and seeing. In the absence of such clear vision from heaven, what are we leading people to and why? 

Jesus modelled this in his earthly ministry, “I see what the Father is doing and I do that,” and “I hear what the Father is saying and I say that.”

Just as the Father was the protagonist in Jesus’ public ministry, so Jesus is the protagonist in our ministry through the power of the Spirit. As ministry leaders, we need to stay watchful and alert to where Jesus is moving and what He is saying. We need to be about what He is about and join Him there. To “bear fruit” (John 15:16) is to support the work already in progress. Ministry leaders are followers first. 

We need to be about what Jesus is about and join Him there. To bear fruit (John 15:16) is to support the work already in progress. Ministry leaders are followers first. Click To Tweet

More than anything else, ministry leaders need to be prayerful disciples. To have one ear perpetually pressed into the Lord’s chest, as the beloved apostle John did at the last supper. To hear His beating heart, to recognize where He is moving and what moves Him. To be about what He is doing, nothing more. Ministry leaders are to rejoice over what brings Him joy and mourn was grieves His heart. We are called to be on pace with the Lord, allies in the land. 

Pastoral leaders are first and foremost, followers – followers of Jesus Christ.

Ministry leaders are to rejoice over what brings Him joy and mourn was grieves His heart. We are called to be on pace with the Lord, allies in the land. Click To Tweet