Sometime ago, at a church in a small village, a crisis emerged. It was a small monastery and for many years, the priests have been serving that community. However, slowly people stopped going to church and things have reached an unusual low point when at the last mass, on Sunday, there was absolutely NOBODY attending it. It was frustrating for the Dean, the chief of those priests; exactly that day he prepared such a nice sermon!
That led him to a deep reflection on what was. Although some of his colleagues accused other religions, sects and even the television to have stolen the faithful, he did not believe it. After all, many places are not being affected and crowds go there. And that was the case of a synagogue located in another town. On his desk, a leaflet invited him for a lecture to that rabbi.
When time came, he dressed nicely and went to the venue, which was packed. He listened attentively to the lecture and even though the rabbi’s style was different, he couldn’t see much difference in the content he used to deliver in the sermons. Again the reflection: why weren’t people going to the church? He took a decision on that, something that would be hard and it was very daring, but he was sure it would work.
At the end of the lecture he waited patiently and at last he could talk to the speaker. After introducing himself, he summarized the crisis: low number of people, discouragement and conflict among the priests, bad financial situation, etc. The rabbi listened with lots of attention, then looked at him and said: You know what? I think this situation is not that difficult. Can I live with you for a while, let’s say, until Saturday?
It happened that some of the rabbi’s appointments have been cancelled and he had extra time to spare. The priests’ leader accepted the idea and without further discussion, he took the rabbi to stay with them, at a quite comfortable – and not used – guests’ room.
It was war! Or almost… after all, he was bringing a stranger from another religion to their sacred space. The leader dedicated himself to the new guest; a little afraid some of the others would speak harsh words. It happened the rabbi was a very nice guest: he was able to appreciate all he saw, every food was exquisite and he treated everyone with extreme respect.
The days went away fast and in the last day, the small community of priests has been conquered by the humble rabbi. When he was about to leave back to his city and synagogue, the leader decided to ask him, in front of everyone, what was his opinion about  the present situation and if he saw a solution for that.
The energy changed and everyone was paying attention to the rabbi’s words. The man just smiled and said in a very smooth tone: I didn’t see anything as a reason of the present crisis, really, but I just have an intuition… I think, well, I think that one of you is the Messiah…
He left, after dropping such a bomb, and everyone went to their duties with that thought in their minds. Of course, the leader thought, if that was true it would be Peter, our cook, who is always working hard. And the leader of the priests had a few ideas on what to do to encourage people to come. He left and he went to visit some of the members of his congregation.
Peter thought it should be James, the gardener. Those roses are fantastic and he does with much love. And like a contagion, everyone started to feel someone else was the Messiah. And that day, the food was really good, the garden was extremely clean and the leader came back with a huge smile.
 In fact, this can happen in crisis within a family, company or NGO. Here are some points for your reflection:
  • How much courage would you have to bring an outsider to give opinion about a crisis in your place of leadership?
  • What would the priests' leader have to do to not see the necessity of bringing the rabbi in?
  • Is there any situation that pops into your mind where you can be the rabbi for other people? Which one and how would that be?