It is 14th March 2017. The readings are from Isaiah 1:10, 16-20; and the Gospel from Matthew 23:1-12. The first reading is the open invitation to all the leaders, parents and care-givers. The Lenten sacrifices include much more than a personal repentance of being sorry for what we have done so far. It is the special time of returning to the Lord starting from those who are responsible and holding influence over the others just because they are the leaders and animators. God takes the sin of the leaders and animators very seriously. As leaders, we all have the moral responsibility in leading the others to God, truth, justice and peace in charity. To live a life worthy of our call by regular cleanliness of heart, and willingness to listen to God and to make every effort to avoid abusing the office for the personal sins and selfishness. The Lord urges the leaders to be washing their dirt accumulated by merely holding the authority, removing the wrong-doing, ceasing to do evil, learning untiringly to do good, searching for justice, helping the helpless, the voiceless, the marginalized, the orphan, the widow and those who are oppressed. When the leaders, the parents and the care-givers commit their lives to God to these standards of loving God and others, then they are invited to have an honest dialogue with God. The condition for such meeting is the humility and obedience to God in all matters of governing. God not only ignores but vows to punish the leaders, the parents and the care-givers when they have chosen to disobey and ignore God through their selfish and sinful things done against the most vulnerable children entrusted to them. The responsorial Psalm prays, “I will show God’s salvation to the upright.” (Ps.49:23). Jesus sternly warns the leaders who wish to grab the highest position in the society and in the religious life by their selfish, blame-game mentality to enjoy the power, influence and control over the others. The leaders who come to power by their evil and power hungry supporters must face God one day for having sown the seeds of division, hatred, giving a false hope, replacing God’s plan with their own seeking attention by all means by their honey-filled lies, promises and mega projects. The leaders, the parents and the care-givers are expected by the Lord to render service without expecting any praises. The leaders, the parents and the care-givers are chosen by God for the meanest and humblest service to the humanity. May we pray for our power-hungry and selfish leaders who exploit God’s people. May you have a good day. God bless you.