Leaders fascinate me. We do not encounter leaders every day. Many arbitrary human quirks are mistaken for leadership. Rhetoric is not leading.

Moses was a leader but spent most of his life either in captivity or wandering in the desert. Christ was a leader and received crucifixion as his reward from the recognized religions of his day. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a leader and was assassinated as a result of his work.

MJ Jonathon and I heard a lovely talk from the NPR commentator and author Sarah McCammon. She spoke of her journey from an Evangelical church to a more liberal point of view. Her New York Times Bestseller is The Exvangelicals: Loving and Leaving the White Evangelical Church. Her comments regarding her youth were matter-of-fact, with her journalistic ability to not sensationalize her memories.

Ms. McCammon’s reflections reminded me that we need not be angry at those who do not see the world as we do but rather we should attempt to understand them. Leadership would be the hard and time-consuming work of not only agreeing to disagree but to learn from each other without the caustic comments of characterizing each other as enemies.

Our political system is called democracy. It is based on the principle of compromise, which is why it is divided into three components. The United States is not a homogenous people…it is a melting pot. The wisdom of the people ruling requires the tedious work of leaders who work for all the people and not their own interest or the interest of who has the most money.

‘I have been looking forward to this meal with Him,’ J said.

‘Now I will say things that not only will be hard for you to receive and that you will not understand until later,’ He said. ‘Here is the bread and when you eat it think of my body…and now for the wine and I ask that you reflect on my blood,’ He continued.

‘Why do you ask that we think of your body and your blood when you are here among us,’ P asked? ‘All is well…soon you will come into your kingdom and we will be emissaries throughout all of your domain…we will rule with an iron hand and reek vengeance on our enemies and bless our followers,’ P continued.

‘It would be better for him if he had not been born.’ Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, ‘Surely not I, Rabbi?’

‘Friend, do what you are here to do,’ He said…