My hawks are very smart. They figure things out and it's great to watch them think. They learn very quickly that the dogs have more to offer in the field than I do. They are faster than I am, and can explore brush piles more efficiently. The dog is scarier to the bunny than me, forcing it out into the open for the hawk. It's not long before I'm tagging along watching the show. If it weren't for the car keys they'd leave me at home! In many ways the hawks lead the hunt. Oh, I get them to the field of my choice, and if danger threatens I have my ways of persuading them to move to safety, but once we're in the field and the hawks are in the air I'm the follower, not the leader.

A lot is written about leadership these days. There are laid-back leaders who lead kind of like I lead the hunts with the hawks. They set the general agenda and parameters and sit back and let other people do their thing. There are autocratic leaders. They have their fingers in everything, know everything that is going on, and insist that it all be done like they would do it. But I think the most compelling thought about leadership these days talks about leadership as influence, one’s capacity to get people to do a particular thing instead of another. Influence draws its authority from character and example. We follow people who we respect, and we follow people who show us rather than tell us the way.

In Mark 1:29-39 Jesus steps out in front of His disciples as their leader. After Synagogue they go to Simon and Andrew's house. Simon's mother-in-law is sick, and Jesus heals her. She gets up and attends them. People come from all over bringing their sick. Jesus cures lots of people and casts out demons from many. Early in the morning He arises to go pray. Simon and the others look for Him and finally find Him. He takes them throughout Galilee, preaching and casting out demons.

Jesus sets an example of the cycle of ministry for His disciples. In this passage He moves from teaching to service. He has just taught at the synagogue. When He gets to Simon and Andrew’s house heals Simon's mother-in-law, then He heals people all evening long. Our chapter of the Order of St. Luke has seen some wonderful healings in our midst. Just last week a woman in our parish reported that her terminal lung cancer has been re-diagnosed as pneumonia. She's off her oxygen and no longer has hospice service. Jesus miracles show what life is like when God and humanity live in total harmony. He does them just the same way we do them—through the unhindered flow of the Spirit of God through us. This is why the freeing of demoniacs figure so highly in the story. It shows us how when we live in harmony with the Spirit the power of the enemy is broken.

Service leads Jesus to prayer. He slips out alone into the night to pray. Keeping the channels of communication open between Himself and the Father through the Spirit is the lifeblood of His ministry. When one is depleted through much service, when one is tired from doing good things, prayer revitalizes the soul and infuses one with the power of heaven once again.

Prayer leads to more teaching. Once more Jesus heads out to preach. Ultimately, the message is what drives Him. This is why He "came out." Getting people on board with what He is preaching and living is the purpose of His life. The teaching leads once again to healing and casting out demons.

So you see the cycle Jesus lives and that He sets for us: Pray, Learn, Serve. You Cursillistas will recognize this instantly!

Jesus also demonstrates the character of God. Jesus shows us how relational God is. God is in relationship with Himself, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and Jesus the Son of God spends time in prayer with the Father. Furthermore, God wants to be in relationship with us. That's why Jesus is among us. God wants us to be in healthy relationships with each other, thus, Jesus heals Peter's mother-in-law, who then serves everyone, and Jesus breaks the power of evil by casting out demons. Jesus shows us how compassionate God is. He cares about us, He wants more than anything else to be reconciled with us, so much so that He sends His only Son to live among us, to die for us, and to rise again so that we might rise with Him. Everything Jesus does is about our reconciliation and transformation. He teaches so that we can know. He heals so that we can have life abundant. He casts out demons to break the power of evil in us. He prays so He can return to teach and serve once more.

So what does that mean for us today? Jesus leads us by example as well. He shows us what a balanced spiritual life looks like. It has three parts to it that work like the three legs of a stool: Prayer is what one does to maintain one's relationship with God. Sometimes it is alone, sometimes it occurs with other Christians, both are necessary. Prayer is time invested with God directly. It is the work of being honest with Him about your feelings, thoughts and desires, letting Him know of your concerns, and expressing your gratitude and praise. It is learning to see His hand at work in the events of your life. Learning is stretching the soul to encompass more and more of the truth of God. When two people are in love they strive to learn about one another. There is a delight in just knowing! How much more should this apply to God? We are a work in progress and we must grow. That growth is fed by constant study. Study gives energy and new insights into one’s spiritual life. Service puts feet on prayer and study. James says, “You show me your faith without works and I will show you my faith by my works.” Works speak louder than words, they tell others and ourselves what is really important to us.

Jesus shows us what a person of character is like. There is a purpose and direction to Jesus' life that gives it focus. Jesus' whole moral code arises from His love of God encoded in the Great Commandment: Love your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself. You show your love of God by your love of neighbor, the two are inextricably and inseparably intertwined. Jesus shows His love of the Father by the way He heals and delivers broken and enslaved people on earth.

How do we follow Jesus? We, too, grow our love of God by daily prayer, study and action, and we, too, focus our lives on showing our love for God by loving one another.

Fr. Paul Moore+