Reflection for 9/10/19: Level Ground

The Gospel of Luke discusses Jesus going to the mountain to pray.  As the Lord came down from a night in prayer with God, He stood with the disciples and the crowd on level ground.  Think about that; level ground.  Jesus, despite being the son of a carpenter in most people’s eyes, was still followed by multitudes and was a great orator everywhere He went.  For those of us who have been public speakers or simply have given a speech or two, we know how difficult it can be both for visual and oratory purposes, to be on the “ground level” with the audience.  Yet, here is Christ who, not only in today’s Gospel but often traveled, preached and associated with the very audience He is addressing.  So again, the question is why?  Why would Jesus, knowing the level of difficulty in addressing the people choose to be on level ground with them and, an equally important a question, what does that “level ground” mean to us? 

The great thing about studying leadership is that you begin to recognize a leader’s style, ideology, and intentions.  Much like understanding music or writing styles from one’s favorite musician and author, leaders have specific processes as well.  Great leaders have a purpose for each decision they make, each process they employ.  Jesus, argumentatively the greatest leader ever, is clearly no exception to this.  Everything Jesus did was intentional.  Being on level ground, Jesus shows the apostles what is like to be among those in need, those who need healing, the sick and dying, the unclean and lost, us.  Likewise, Jesus shows us that He is among us always.  The Lord’s instructions were very clear; “Go, and teach the Gospel!”  He didn’t say sit there with the Gospel and expect the people will come to you.  If we keep ourselves upon a “mountain top”, how long do you think it will be before people no longer listen to us?  Being on level ground with those we teach, those we work with or lecture to, those in our families and relationships, all those around us creates an environment where nobody is excluded.  In turn, this allows the mystery of God’s work in our life to happen as well. 

Once again, Jesus shows His disciples (us included) that to truly build relationships, to truly share the Gospel, we must meet people where they are, we must be on “level ground”.  As disciples, we must bring the Lord to others, not the other way around. 

Mr. Swann/Principal

OLMC