Embodied Leadership, Good Friday, & Catholic Servant Leadership

"Embodying Your Catholic Faith in Leadership" is the theme of my Catholic Servant Leadership website.

Many people want to know:

What is "Embodied Leadership," and more importantly, "What does it have to do with the Catholic faith?"

I often get emails and phone calls about embodied leadership that go something like this:

Caller: We're interested in having you come speak about Catholic Servant Leadership to our group.

Me: I'd be delighted to serve your group in any way I can.

Caller: We like your Catholic Servant Leadership material. We're just not too sure about this 'Embodied Leadership' stuff ...

Many Catholics mistakenly believe that the body is only seen as sinful and evil, and consequently have concerns about "Embodied Leadership."

Nothing could be farther from the truth.

While the Church does recognize sinful aspects of our bodies, the Church is also clear that our bodies are holy creations of God. Even more importantly, our Catholic faith clearly tells us that on the final day of Judgement, we will enter into heaven as whole beings, our bodies included.

The Fourth Lateran Council which took place in 1215 A.D. teaches that all people, whether elect or reprobate, "will rise again with their own bodies which they now bear about with them".

Jesus, the Son of God, was fully embodied. In John 1:14, we read, "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us." Jesus needed to be fully embodied, fully human, in order to die on the cross and save the world.

The great doctor of the Church, St. Thomas Aquinas wrote, "By a word, the Word embodied changes common break and wine ..." a line from the hymn Praise We Christ's Immortal Body, a song sung around the world during the Triduum.

In 1 Corinthians 6:19, St. Paul tells us, "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?"

In fact, every time we say the Apostle's Creed, we state our belief in, "... the resurrection of the body ..."

Far from a fringe element, our embodiment as Catholics is a deeply central tenant of our Roman Catholic Faith. Those who wish to become Catholic Servant Leaders would do well to develop their embodied awareness ...

... all for the greater glory of God.

Wishing you a blessed Good Friday.

Peace,

Tim