“Heavy is the head that wears the crown.” This is an old saying that expresses the suffering and difficulties that leaders can endure. In each of today’s Scripture readings we see an important leader of God’s people go through a different kind of trial.
In the first reading from the Book of Numbers, we hear yet another “grumbling story,” where the people Israel speak rebelliously against God and His servant Moses. Today’s scene, in fact, represents quite an escalation in this dynamic, for here we see not simply an unnamed crowd of complainers, but Moses’ own sister and brother, Miriam and Aaron, challenging the reality of Moses’ unique relationship with God and criticizing Moses’ decision to marry a foreigner. The sense of betrayal Moses would have felt must have been enormous.
Internal Opposition
And in today’s Gospel, Peter, the Prince of the Apostles, suffers a different kind of challenge. He doesn’t face external opposition from any of his brother Apostles. Instead, despite his initial courage and bold faith in Jesus during the storm, Peter succumbs to internal doubt and fear. Another kind of trial that would be familiar to most people who have served as leaders.
Humility in the Face of Trouble
And these readings do not simply depict the difficulty; each of them offers us a beautiful response from the leader who is close to the Lord. The Book of Numbers gives us this astounding, perhaps unexpected line: “Moses himself was by far the meekest man on the face of the earth.”
That’s probably not how we normally think of the parter of the Red Sea and the receiver of the tablets containing the Ten Commandments. But here Moses is, in his meekness, not lashing out at his brother and sister. And, when God punishes Miriam for the offense, it is Moses who prays for her healing.
Saint Peter, too, displays great humility in his trial. When the doubts consume him and he begins to sink, he instantly turns to Jesus in his need and cries out, “Lord, save me!” Neither shame nor pride keeps him from seeking divine assistance. He was braver than his brothers, in daring to heed the Lord’s call to walk upon the water. Now, although he is their leader, he’s humble enough to look weak before them and rely entirely on Jesus’ strength.
My own Congregation’s founder and leader, Blessed Basil Moreau, took comfort in this very scene from Matthew’s Gospel when he endured his own worst internal trial of doubt, and the example of Saint Peter saved him from despair.
Our Models in Faith
Each of us, at some point, will serve as a leader, perhaps at school or at work or within our own family. And most of us, as leaders, will likely face some not so kind external opposition, or some very painful internal oppression. We pray that Moses and Saint Peter may be for us, too, our models and our intercessors.
- Father Charlie's inspirational homily was recorded live during Mass at the Father Peyton Center this morning. You can view the Mass (and the Rosary at the 30-minute mark) on the Family Rosary YouTube page.
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