As some readers may already know, I have the privilege of running the St. Thomas More Society (STM), which is an organization on campus that hosts Catholic speakers to discuss Catholic issues and topics from a philosophical perspective over pizza and fellowship. We meet every Monday at 7 p.m., usually in-person, though this semester has been, like so many other things on campus, a virtual experience.
Being president of STM has been a real treat for me. My spiritual life reignited thanks in part to STM, so I have a special gratitude for the organization. However, I find it curious that I am in charge of the club.
I am new to the Catholic intellectual scene. For a long time, I viewed religion as anti-intellectual, so it is ironic that I lead a religious club whose mission is “to provide a community for students who seek to grow in their love of Jesus Christ and to deepen their knowledge of the Catholic faith.” I am no expert in the specific nuances of Catholic doctrine or teaching, and I am certainly less knowledgeable than most of the membership. I am not even Roman Catholic! (I’m Melkite Catholic.) How am I qualified to lead a Catholic club?
The logistical answer is that I was appointed, and I recognize the work of God in that appointment as well. I trust that for some reason, God led me here to do work for STM. Things are going well with the organization; even in the virtual environment, the club is thriving! For me, it has been a tremendous lesson in leadership, and I have grown a style and philosophy of leadership from my experience with STM. Trusting in God’s providence has not only provided me with self-confidence to lead, but has also inculcated in me a mindset after the example of Christ, inspired by the “servant songs” from Isaiah.
When I think about Jesus as a suffering servant (see Isaiah 53), I harken back to the verse, “For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted” (Lk 14:11). In His parable, Jesus tells the people to take the lowest seat at the table in order to allow the host of the feast to move their place to a more honorable position. But of course, the parable has a deeper spiritual meaning.
I see Jesus’ teaching in a number of ways. At first glance, it is clear that He is trying to key us into the virtue of humility. However, when viewed in light of the Gospels as a whole, we see Jesus living out the teaching when He washes His Disciples’ feet, and most significantly with His sacrifice on the Cross.
Furthermore, the mystery of the Incarnation shows Jesus humbling Himself by being made flesh; He surrenders His throne in Heaven to take on our finite form on earth. In this way, not only does Christ live humility in the Paschal Mystery, but He is humility by His very Incarnate nature. Christ is thus showing us how to “be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect” (Mt 5:48), and inviting us to participate in His Divine nature.
A third way to think about that verse is to put it into the context of the book of Matthew (Mt. 23:12). Here, we see Jesus excoriating the scribes and Pharisees, who instruct people how to act, but do not act themselves except insofar as it bolsters their status. The Pharisees are only in it for their own gain. But Jesus clearly teaches, “But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant” ( Mt. 23:11), which is not only a reference to Himself, but also as a model for all leaders. It is also evident that a leader ought to take action, for being a servant implies acting on behalf of others.
In addition to being grateful to STM for prompting my religious conversion, I am also grateful for having gleaned this insight into what Christ-like leadership is. Doing the hard work that is required for STM to be a strong community is at times a challenge, but it is one that fills me with a deep sense of purpose and satisfaction. In the spirit of humbling myself, I should conclude by giving credit and thanks to my amazing team for all of their hard work: David, Joe, Erin, Dr. Hudson, and Fr. Tacelli all do amazing things, and we each bring our own God-given talents to make STM a meaningful community.
Featured image courtesy of Boston College via Twitter
Tom is a senior in the Lynch School, where he is studying Secondary Education, History, and Philosophy, with a minor in Restorative Justice. He is President of the Boston College Republicans, and President emeritus of the St. Thomas More Society. When not taking too many classes or writing for The Torch or The Free Press, Tom loves to watch sports, listen to metal music, and defend Leo Strauss against (unfair) accusations of Gnosticism.
- Freedom, Responsibility, Belonging, and Farewell - April 29, 2022
- The Conjuring Universe: Not for the Faint of Heart, Good for the Weak of Faith - April 29, 2022
- Incipient Political Catholicism - March 27, 2022