I typically do not memorize quotes but one that has stuck with me is “No Man is an Island,” which is a book title by Trappist Monk Thomas Merton. My ego likes to convince me that I am independent and can stand alone but this is a lie. Merton’s quote continues to check my ego. Truth is that I need others not only to survive, but thrive.
In a broader sense that is true for all of us, if it were not for societies and organizations we would live a very limited existence. We observe others and we learn by living with others and by living like them. We ought not discount the value of secular society with its own government and leaders nor in the spiritual realm of church, as the People of God, which is also constituted as a society governed by church leaders.
Our instinctual desire and need to belong has its blessings as well as disadvantages. Fortunately, we do not gain eternal damnation due to the sins of others and less so, do we gain eternal life because of another. Each individual needs to work out his own personal identity and salvation. So what are we to do as individuals within a society or corporate body when the actions of its leadership or membership goes against the gospel?
To illustrate, …you are a mid-level manager and long time employee of a company. In a few more years you will be eligible for a retirement pension. You find out that for years your beloved company has been dumping toxic chemicals in a river that supplies drinking water for a community. When this becomes public it also exposes a corporate cover up. The criminal act and corporate deception violates your own ethos. What do you do? You yourself have done no wrong but since you are a member of the corporate body, you are complicit in its sickness. What is your course of action, …where does your subservience or obedience to corporate leadership lay?
Now, whether in the secular or spiritual realm, it is hardly a moot issue for St Paul in 1 Cor 12:25-26 states, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. To act as though we are clean members and others are dirty members changes nothing. Corporate sickness, committed by a few, covers all its members.
Have you ever wondered why an organization or institutional culture is the way it is, even though everyone acknowledges that it needs to change? It is simple, it is the way it is because the people who have the authority to change it – do not want to change it. It is foolish to think that the leadership which created the culture and chooses to maintain the status quo has any will or ability to change it. The primary act of an institution is to protect itself, even those who profess to exist only to do good works.
Authentic leadership is about, “walking the talk,” and not “talking the walk.” I am quite convinced that “Everything rises or falls on leadership. When leadership fails it first tries shift blame or focus elsewhere. And until the culture holds leadership accountable to walk the walk, before talking – nothing changes.
Regarding obedience, I was once asked two questions, the first, “Does obedience come easy for you, or is it a struggle?” My response was that my obedience is a constant struggle.
To the second question, “To whom would you say you are obedient, and how? I responded in the following:
In an autocratic hierarchy, obedience is viewed as a top down expectation from superior to subordinate as though it is a one way street. In truth and justice, obedience is a two way street which holds equal responsibility regardless of position held in hierarchy. Obedience to authority has it place but it also has its limit and can be evidenced by Jesus’ challenge to the secular and religious authorities of his day.
Personally, I accept that obedience is necessary within institutional hierarchy and governance. Its absence usually means chaos. My father’s autocratic parenting as well as my military service was a good lesson and went far in keeping me safe and helping me to mature. Although, as I have grown, I’ve learned that Servant Leadership, rather than autocratic leadership is a higher form in which to aspire. It is (by far) more difficult to exercise but, by all accounts it is the form of service we see by Jesus in the gospels.
Whether one is a corporate superior or subordinate, the first step to understanding “healthy” obedience is to give primacy to the gospel allowing it to conform our life and actions to Christ. And yes, it will come with the cross.
I’ll close with a reference from St. John Paul II, “When a person is touched by the Word, …obedience is born, that is listening, … which changes life” (Orientale lumen 10).
Here the pope is not saying “Shut up and follow my Orders!” he is saying, “Listen to the Word of God, and you will fulfill your vow of obedience.”
My response; “Wow!”
There is a natural laziness that moves us to accept the easiest solutions in life. In the secular example above, it is easiest to be silent and subservient to institutional power and the cultural group think. On the other hand, it takes a great courage (that does not come easy) to live obedient to the gospel of Jesus Christ. But this is our baptism call.
The featured image is a collage representing my struggle to not become lost in any aspect of corporate culture that fails the gospel.
