4 February 2017 - the great shepherd of the sheep

[ Today's Readings ]

When Jesus disembarked and saw the vast crowd,
his heart was moved with pity for them,
for they were like sheep without a shepherd;
and he began to teach them many things.

Jesus wants to give us shepherds after his own heart (see Jeremiah 3:15). He doesn't not want to see us troubled, lost, and alone. He gives us leaders to teach and sanctify us.

Obey your leaders and defer to them,
for they keep watch over you and will have to give an account

We are not to seek teachers after our own preference. We must not accumulate for ourselves teachers to suit our own passion (see Second Timothy 4:3). It is true that some, even some within the Church, teach falsehood and lies that are opposed to the Gospel. These must be avoided. But once we find a shepherd who is trying his best to follow divine revelation as understood by the Church we do well to submit to him. We do well not to critique him because of this or that reason but to trust that God is working through him to shepherd us.

Say we find ourselves with a teacher on whom it is hard to focus because he does not have an exciting presentation. Maybe part of what we are called to learn is compassionate attentiveness.

Perhaps we find ourselves with a teacher who doesn't convey the truth with the clarity we would like. Or on the contrary, perhaps we find a teacher who is too abrupt about preaching the truth and risks alienating his congregation. Let us learn the lessons of humility and boldness that he teaches by his actions. Both lessons have value and may be just what we need.

If things need nuance for those whom we know and those for whom we have responsibility we can convey this to them. For the rest, we must entrust them to the great shepherd of the sheep, knowing that he is able to furnish them and all of us with all that is good so that together we can do his will. 

Our shepherd is so good.

Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
And I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come.

It is only right to praise him.

Through Jesus, let us continually offer God a sacrifice of praise,
that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name.