A local television channel that plays classic movies recently broadcast the 1956 film adaptation of Jules Verne’s “Around the World in 80 Days.”  The screenwriters for the film added a great deal of entertainment value to the story by substituting some comedic dialogue in place of Verne’s rather dry prose.   

One of the early scenes in the movie portrays the protagonist Phileas Fogg’s former valet resigning from the position.  The valet complained that Fogg was woefully obsessive about every aspect of his daily activities.  He timed his rising, dining, and card playing to the minute each day and expected his valet to be equally compulsive.  

The director of the employment agency cautioned the former valet about making disparaging remarks about a member of the very prestigious social club to which Fogg belonged.  The former valet responded that Fogg’s membership in the exclusive club seemed not to prevent him from engaging in crazy behavior.  The director of the employment agency replied, “Actually, excessive sanity is not a necessary qualification for that particular institution.”   

I thought immediately of several contemporary social institutions which might merit the same assessment. 

In today’s first reading, the prophet Jeremiah’s sentiments about the kings who ruled Judah during his lifetime bear a faint echo of the employment agency director’s snide comment about the membership of that very exclusive social club in London.  Jeremiah faulted the kings not for their lack of sanity, however, but for their lack of responsibility.  He said, “Woe to the shepherds who mislead and scatter the flock of my pasture, says the Lord.” (Jr 23:1) 

Jeremiah lamented that the qualifications of the kings of Judah prior to the Babylonian Exile did not seem to include an excess of faithfulness and responsibility.  Again, I can think of some leaders of social institutions today who merit a similar assessment. 

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus made a comment that was reminiscent of Jeremiah’s lament about the kings of Judah.  In Mark’s Gospel, however, Jesus’ comment was more an indictment of the crowds than of the religious leadership. 

After the apostles returned from a missionary journey to some of the villages in Galilee, Jesus took them away by themselves so they could recuperate and relax.  The people in the vicinity had been monitoring Jesus’ movements and preceded him to his destination.  Upon seeing the crowds clambering for more attention, he described them as “sheep without a shepherd.” (Mk 6:34) 

His assessment that they were like “sheep without a shepherd” was a reference to the people’s lack of direction in life; they didn’t know how to act appropriately.  Jesus wanted to give his apostles some respite from the crowds’ demands, but the crowds could only panic and run to find Jesus’ new location.  His response to their lack of serenity and self-control was to “teach them many things.” (Mk 6:34)  That is to say, he tried to help them cultivate greater trust in God and less worry about themselves. 

God doesn’t want us to be tossed around like leaves in the wind.  God doesn’t want us to be unnerved by every disappointment or trial that life presents.  God doesn’t want us to be like “sheep without a shepherd.”  To that end, God provides us with clear instruction about how to live and how to act in every situation.  Jesus’ teaching is this instruction.  To those who will listen, Jesus teaches trust, forgiveness, and mercy. 

What, then, are we to do about the leaders, people, and institutions which seem not to display an excess of sanity, faithfulness, or responsibility?  In the light of Jesus’ teaching, our response to these situations ought to be obvious.  First, we should avoid both panic and apathy when confronted with a failure of leadership.  Second, we should avoid imitation of failed leadership. 

Failed leadership isn’t worthy of the Christian faith, but neither is it newsworthy.  Failed leadership is all too common, as is failed followership.  Improving failed leadership is not necessarily within the control of most people, but improving failed followership is within every person’s grasp. 

For those who say they value faithfulness and responsibility, the only appropriate course of action is to be always faithful and responsible, especially in difficult circumstances.  Happily, God provides not only instruction but also strength to fulfill this obligation of discipleship. 

What will you do the next time you encounter someone lacking sufficient faith, wisdom, or compassion?  If you truly value these virtues, you will practice them always and in every situation.