The reading assigned for today begins several readings from the Book of Joshua. After Moses led the Hebrew children out of slavery, through the Red Sea, and across the desert for forty years he died within sight of the Promised Land. Joshua picked up the mantle of leadership and led the Chosen People into the land by crossing the Jordan River. I am reminded of a saying of Charles DeGaulle: the cemeteries of France are filled with indispensable men. A good reminder when thinking of parish leadership. No one, not even the pastor, is indispensable. The Holy Spirit is in charge. Each one of us has a role to fill in bringing the action and presence of God into our church, our neighborhood, our homes.
