SERVANT LEADERSHIP- A: 14th Sun in OrdTime

First Reading: Zech 9:9-10 (July 9, 2023)

“He shall proclaim peace to the nations” (Zech 9:10).

This is Zechariah’s prophecy, talking about a king who comes as “a just savior … riding on an ass, on a colt, the goal of an ass” (v. 9). This remark might be a knack against the kings of the past, particularly Saul, who came at the onset of his reign looking for his father’s donkeys (cf. 1 Sam 9:3). He was the king the Israelites were imploring God to provide so that they might become great like the other monarchical nations around them (cf. 8:5). Ironically, he did not succeed in making Israel great, considering the continuous opposition he received from the Philistines (cf. 1 Samuel 4-31). Adding insult to injury is his ongoing struggles to suppress David from his growing popularity (cf. 18:10). He would spend his energies chasing him while neglecting his battles with the Philistines. Soon, he succumbed to the latter, dying in battle with his children and army (cf. 31:6).

Conversely, Zechariah foretold of the coming of another king, who would arrive with a donkey as well. Unlike Saul, he would pacify the opposing nations: “he shall banish the chariot from Ephraim … the warriors now shall be banished “ (Zech 9:10). He would also bring peace to Jerusalem and avoid the permeating civil war that had marked most of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah.

But, most importantly, he would have full control and authority over these territories, albeit not in a hegemonic way. Thus, “[h]is dominion shall be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth“ (v. 10).

This anticipated king has been equated in the Christian tradition to Jesus Christ. He is presented in all Gospel narratives as riding on a donkey as he entered triumphantly Jerusalem (cf. Mark 11; Matthew 21; Luke 19, and John 12). In the liturgical celebration of the Advent and Christmas seasons, these verses from Zechariah are read. In the Passion narratives, Jesus is portrayed as someone who non-violently confronted leaders, making them accountable for their duties to their constituents. Meanwhile, despite being an activist, he would bring peace and harmony to all regions of Israel, gathering peoples of different ethnicities, socio-economic statuses, religious affiliations, political leanings, and walks of life. He would truly be the “Prince of Peace”.

In the final analysis, the circumstances surrounding the coming of any leader are immaterial to the outcome of a reign. It all depends on the true disposition, character, and motives of a leader. Saul started humbly as a caretaker of donkeys but ended up as a despot … greedy, vengeful, and fixated on power. In contrast, Jesus maintained his humble nature and status as a carpenter’s son, while being counter-cultural in challenging boldly the prevalent status quo.

From these approaches, it is only in the latter that peace and joy are brought to Jerusalem (Zech 9:9) and even to the “ends of the earth” (v. 10).

May we always seek, support, and sustain leaders who exemplify Servant Leadership in their governance as Christ did in his lifetime.

• Rex Fortes, CM