~~~SisterSea~~~

Leadership and Compassion     Today’s readings spoke to me of leadership and compassion, or rather, compassionate leadership.   In one of his talks, theologian Diarmuid O'Murchu questioned why King David is held up as an icon and why the Gospel writers would want David as part of the genealogy of Jesus.   David may have been a good shepherd boy, but as a king, he was a tyrant and he set in motion events that would 'destroy and scatter' God's people.   For example, David had at least seven wives, not counting his concubines, yet he committed adultery the wife of one of his soldiers.   Then to hide his adultery, he sent the soldier on a mission where David knew the outcome would be the soldier's death.   David's lust is a metaphor for greed fueled by a loss of compassion.   He has more than enough but he still wants more even if it means another must die.   Today's first reading suggests that perhaps world leaders have like David traded in their sh

14 th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year B   Considering recent discoveries on several former residential school sites, the many forest fires burning in the province and the provincial and federal governments’ empty promises on reconciliation and on tackling climate change, I found today’s readings so relevant to state of the world today.   Put another way, the readings speak to me of the entrenched sins of unchecked capitalism, colonialism, paternalism and the lack of regard for life, whether human and non-human.   But today, I am just going to discuss what it might mean for us in our little part of the Earth.     In the first reading, God says to Ezekiel, “they and their ancestors have revolted against me to this very day.   Hard of face and obstinate of heart are they to whom I am sending you.”   We are Ezekiel!    As inheritors and beneficiaries of Canada’s colonial past, it is incumbent upon us to truly follow the gospel and work to towards a society that is just for ev