The Shepherd

The readings for Sunday Mass generally offer many different themes upon which one can reflect, even though some of the readings may have been deliberately chosen with a common theme. This offers a certain amount of freedom for one’s reflection.

“But it is not this day.”

Yes, there are different themes to be found in today’s readings, but...

The Gospel (John 10:1-10) comes from our Lord’s wonderful “Good Shepherd” discourse.

In the second reading (1 Peter 2:20b-25), Saint Peter refers to Christ as “the shepherd and guardian of your souls.”

The Responsorial is the 23rd Psalm: “The Lord is my shepherd...”

This Tuesday, Saint Peter’s Successor, Pope Benedict XVI, will fly from Rome to the United States on a plane that will be nicknamed “Shepherd One”.

And in the first reading (Acts 2:14a-36-41), we hear part of the first great Papal speech, given by Saint Peter a few moments after the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.

(It would not be a surprise that these words we hear from the first Pope in this reading will resonate in the message of the current Pope in this common week: Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.)

It is thus rather unavoidable that we reflect today on the ministry of Peter as Vicar of Christ the Good Shepherd.

The most fundamental point, of course, is that Christ is the Good Shepherd and the Sheep gate. Our Lord says this gently but also with brutal clarity.

All who came before me are thieves and robbers.

No one dare try to shepherd or lead or influence the people of God in any way except in, through, and for Christ.

People in the Church can be well-meaning, talented, and full of energy, but unless they and their efforts are in, through, and for Christ, they are thieves and robbers.

If people are not in Christ or if what they are giving the Church is not of Christ, they are displacing Christ, effectively robbing the flock of Christ.

To the extent that people are not acting as instruments of Christ or do not see the grace of Christ as being the prime ingredient for success in building up the Church, to that extent they are robbing the people of Christ.

To the extent that people’s involvement in the Church – as Pastors, ministers, or just people in the pews – is motivated in any way by a desire for self-satisfaction, recognition, or any other kind of advancement, to that extent they are thieves.

Jesus said again,
"Amen, amen, I say to you,
I am the gate for the sheep.

"All who came before me are thieves and robbers,
but the sheep did not listen to them.

"I am the gate.
Whoever enters through me will be saved,
and will come in and go out and find pasture.

"A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy;
I came so that they might have life
and have it more abundantly."

We are very blessed in these days to have a Successor of Saint Peter who so obviously has Christ has the foundation, prime force, and absolute goal of his life, of his theology, and of his efforts.

In everything that you and I say, think, and do – in and for the Church or anywhere in our lives – may Christ be our foundation, our prime force, our absolute goal and the shepherd and guardian of our souls.