One of the ongoing refrains we hear these days is that there is a crisis of leadership. Opinion polls in some countries; demonstrations in others, show us that this crisis in leadership is rather extensive.

What is even more alarming is that this crisis in leadership is not confined to governmental levels, it is found in other organisations, even in families.

There are many explanations and theories offered as to the why of this crisis. The gospel of this Second Sunday of Easter gives us an insight into the reasons for the leadership problems we face.

We all know the story very well. This gospel has been known as the gospel of “Doubting Thomas”.

Jesus has appeared to the disciples who are all locked away for fear of the Jews. He says to them “Peace be with you.” Jesus was here doing what all leaders must do. He was inspiring his disciples to continue in the struggle without fear of failure.

Very often leaders lose followers because they are unable to inspire confidence in their followers that the enterprise will be successful. With this apparition, the Risen Christ begins the work of restoring the confidence of his disciples, a task which would be completed at Pentecost when the disciples would go out to preach the gospel to the whole world.

The disciples are of course enthused, the master whom they thought had been destroyed is alive, and so they tell Thomas who was not with them during that first apparition, “the Master is alive.”

Thomas is very sceptical, as many would be, and so he tells them that he needs proof. “Unless I see the holes that the nails made in his hands and can put my finger into the holes they made, and unless I can put my hand into his side, I refuse to believe.”

Thomas, as would be the case with all of us, does not want to give time and energy to something that has no hope of being successful. The proof that Thomas seeks, however, is very significant.

He wants to be sure that this person whom his colleagues say has appeared to them is indeed the Master he had followed, the Master who had suffered and sacrificed for them.

Jesus however, continues the task of restoring confidence and hope in his disciples, he appears to them again and repeats his exhortation to be without fear “Peace be with you”, He tells them again.

This time Thomas is with them. He sees the holes that the nails have made, he sees the wound made by the lance and he acknowledges.

What is indeed remarkable about this episode is that Jesus not only shows his wounds to Thomas, he also invites him “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.”

All of us know how painful dressing an open wound can be and yet Jesus is willing to undergo that pain for the sake of convincing Thomas. What convinces Thomas is not simply that Jesus had suffered in the past for them but also the willingness to undergo suffering in the present.It is this willingness which finally convinces Thomas that the person appearing is indeed his leader, “His Lord and His God!”

This gospel reading reminds us that the constant of true leadership is the ability to take on suffering for the sake of the followers. Leaders are wont to point to the past and say, “Look what I did for you”

True leaders are always doing for the sake of the followers, that is why the saying “Parents are parents from womb to tomb” makes so much sense.

This Gospel passage calls us all to evaluate our way of exercising leadership. Are we leaders because we love power and fame, or are we leaders who are truly at the service of the people, willing to accept suffering for their sake?

Are we leaders who seek to inspire by referring to what we suffered once upon a time or are we leaders who inspire by our acceptance now of whatever comes, even if this means giving up positions for the sake of the people.

True leadership after all is said and done is not about position but about influence. May the meditation on this gospel passage help us to be leaders in the mould of Jesus.

Prayer
All powerful and ever-loving God, your Son Jesus gave us an example we must all follow. In this world in which power and fame seem to be the forces driving the desire for leadership, help our leaders to recognise that service is the only valid motive for leadership. Help us to understand that a true desire to serve always includes the acceptance of suffering not simply in the past but in the present also. We ask this through the intercession of Mary our mother, and your son Jesus, the true leader. Amen.

Gospel Meditations for April are by Fr Joseph Harris, CSSp, a former rector of the Regional Seminary. Fr Harris is parish priest of St Ann's and the Judicial Vicar of the Archdiocese.