Sheep and Shepherds

Throughout the history of salvation, God looked after his people by sending priests, prophets and kings to be their shepherds. Their job was to govern, guide and guard the people. The people in positions of leadership failed to shepherd the people. God promised to replace those shepherds who misled and scattered the flock: “I’m about to replace you and my people will be restored.” (Jeremiah 23:4)

Through the prophet Ezekiel, the Lord said: “I myself will shepherd my people. The lost I will seek out, the strayed I will bring back, the injured I will bind up, the sick I will heal, shepherding them rightly.” (Ezekiel 34:16) Then Jesus came and said: “I am the Good Shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11) In today’s gospel, Jesus sees the people as: “sheep without shepherd” (Mark 6:34). In establishing a new covenant, a new Israel, Jesus was establishing new shepherds. These shepherds would serve and care for the people in his name. Thus the Pope – the successor of Saint Peter; the bishops – the successors of the apostles; and priests – collaborators with the bishops in shepherding the people. Every Christian is anointed priest, prophet and king to serve God and the Church.

The need for good shepherds continues in our day, for men and women to care for the most vulnerable in our society. This is not just a matter for those in positions of authority in Church and State – but also for all those who have the capacity to reach out to those in physical need, to anyone searching for deeper meaning, to those who are looking for signs of God’s presence in our midst.

When we think of shepherds – our first thoughts go to the need for priests. There is a serious shortage of vocations in the Church today. While a vocation to the priesthood and religious life is a special gift, it must be nourished in the home. Parents are a powerful source of nourishment for the call that God may have already given. We live in a world where a lot of voices call, where the noise is continuous, and where the distractions and attractions of a successful life in the secular world seems to be all that parents want or children hear about… It’s all about competition, being number one, and material success! The present situation in our world should make clear the fickleness of the material world, and the hazards of success! We pray that young people will look at the option of giving their lives in the service of God and the Church! “Pray ye therefore that the Lord of the Harvest send laborers into the fields.” (Matthew 9:38) As Christians all of us are called to shepherd. Parents, teachers, doctors, nurses, friends – all are shepherds in their own professions. Each and every member of our parish is a shepherd. We must be attentive to the needs of others, who. Who n our parish is suffering and in need of care? Who is in danger of straying? Who has already walked away from the flock? As we focus on evangelization, we are continually called to reach out to the alienated and disenfranchised, to be attentive to those who have the left the Church. At the same time, we are called to be aware of those who are on the fringes of the flock!

As Christians we are the sheep, we are also shepherds. We realize that not all will listen to the voice of the Good Shepherd, and will not listen to our voices. They await for someone else. Sometimes our efforts end up without results. The harvest belongs to the Lord. We also come to realize that we need the support of the whole community to accomplish the work of Christ in our world today!

Prayer: Lord, in this critical moment in human history, bless the vineyard of the world with men and women who will teach in your Son’s name, walk in His footsteps, and break bread in His memory.