It is 27th January 2020. We celebrate the memorial of St. Angela Merici, virgin. The readings are from 2 Samuel 5:1-7, 10 and the Gospel from Mark 3:22-30. A leader comes by forces goes by violence and revenge. If anyone is brought as a leader by God, he spreads peace and brings unity. Many of us aspire to be leaders for our selfish motives and plans. Anyone who has the power and the way to convince a group of people to whom a lot of promotions are promised can become a leader. We can convince a group or a bunch of people to climb and grab the power. Yet, if God is not in favour of this power capturing, the leader is going to be replaced soon without the blessings of God and support of people. The episode in the first reading clearly shares the departure and death of a king who was rejected by God. Anyone who opposes peace and unity is the enemy of God. No one can lead impartially without the anointing and assistance of the Holy Spirit. King David was anointed a king by God for the people. A leader needs to work together and bringing all tribes, colour, races and any other differences among people to have an honest and unprejudiced dialogue and deliberation. David united two kingdoms and made Jerusalem the capital. Bringing everyone on board is the success of leadership. If someone has chased a particular person or a racial group and grabbed position, his end is inevitable and frustrating. Once a common enemy is removed, they engage now in division and hatred among themselves. “If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom can not stand.” (Mk.3:24). When the members of a group, or an institution or a congregation is settled in separation, division, self-contained behaviours, the group is digging its own grave. Hatred towards the other in any form is evil and it is against God’s plan of unity and freedom. More the members are distanced from each other, more the impact of divisions. But when blesses a leader like David, God blesses the leader with abundance and blessings. “David grew greater and greater, and the Lord, the God of hosts, was with him.” (2 Sam.5:10). The responsorial Psalm praises, “My truth and my love shall be with him.” (Ps.88:25). The Gospel invites us to be united in peace. Divided we fall, united we stand. Promoting bitterness and accusations for capturing power is satanic and selfish. Silencing, resisting and repressing the Holy Spirit in the interactions of a quest for a leader has a grave and profound impact on the person and the entire group. We all have a moral duty to promote unity, peace in building up common pillars of hope and harmony than for our selfish ambitions to be achieved using the corridors of the Church and community. May you have a good day. God bless you.