The Sixth Sunday in Easter, 2008
Acts 8:5-8, 14-17
Psalm 66:
1 Peter 3:15-18
John 14:15-21
Today Jesus tells us that he will not leave us orphans. The Bible speaks often of orphans. On the one hand, infant mortality was exceedingly high in the time of Jesus, with 60 percent of children having died by age 16. On the other hand, adults themselves lived short lives. Most startling is that most children, perhaps more than 70 percent, would have lost one or both parents before they reached 13 year of age.
Jesus often used orphans as a symbol for the weakest and most vulnerable in society. Orphans had no protections either in law or in society. If an orphan was lucky, relatives would take the child into their own homes but only as a slave. In the Roman world, it was not uncommon for orphans to be left in the desert to die simply because the family could not afford to care for them.
When Jesus announced to His friends that he was going to leave them, they became very disturbed. We can imagine sitting at a very nice meal -- as were Jesus and the disciples -- only to have someone drop a disturbing news during dinner conversation. Appetites would be lost. The news would take over the meal. If someone we love deeply announced during a very nice family dinner that he or she had cancer and had only days to live, we can imagine the havoc and the feelings such an announcement would produce. Imagining this, we can imagine the disciples.
Jesus went beyond His announcement of death. But Jesus made a promise. I will be with you always, and he meant it. Now, they all believed that he would die, and they knew it would be a difficult death. But then he says he will be with them always. What did he mean? They had never known anyone who had died who would still be with them.
The disciples had no comprehension of Jesus' promise until 50 days later on the feast of Pentecost. On that day the followers of Jesus would no longer be orphans, they would no longer be alone because the Holy Spirit would be with them. To fully appreciate Pentecost we must find that part of the disciples within us that can feel very, very lost and alone. We must come to know what it meant to be an orphan in order to appreciate Jesus' promise that ''I will not leave you orphans.''
When someone expresses great love or admiration of us, we respond. We thank them. When a spouse or children express their love and trust in us, we respond inwardly with an attitude that says, ''I will never let you down.'' We often do, though our attitude remains the same. We want to be faithful. We try to be faithful.
Jesus' promise that He will not leave us orphans is the same kind of statement. We've been told that we are loved. It is a love that defies full understanding. Just the same, such love should evoke a response from us, and that response is one of obedience. Obedience is not the requirement of love, it is the consequence of it. Just as we inwardly desire to return the love of a spouse or children, we should inwardly desire to return the love of Jesus. Obedience is faithfulness. Jesus' statement, ''If you love me, you will keep my commandments,'' is not a command. Jesus is saying that He will recognize those who have responded to His love by their obedience.
Children, teenagers, and adults like to emulate their heroes. Best friends in high school will dress alike. There is no rule that the teens must dress alike, they just do. We wear team colors. We buy jerseys with the name of our favorite athlete on the back. We want to be like our heroes. If Jesus is our hero, we will wear His colors. Obedience is the color of love and allegiance to Jesus. Ultimately, obedience is an act of love, not an act of submissive duty.
We Catholics rarely talked about or refer to the Holy Spirit, or what was at one time called the Holy Ghost. Yet it is very much part of our spiritual life. Whenever we make the sign of the cross, we make it in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. In the ritual of Baptism there are several mentions of the person’s being baptized with “water and the Holy Spirit”. We have one sacrament called Confirmation which is when a person is confirmed in the Holy Spirit. Our blessings are always make with the Holy Spirit. The presence of the Holy Spirit allows the cleansing of the water to produce visibility or revelation in the lives of those who are baptized.
The Holy Spirit will not leave us orphans. The “Spirit” is promised so that all who believe will know who they are, because Christ is in them and that is the blessing of Baptism. All good things around us and within us come from heaven above. Sad are those who do not know and accept their truth and spend their lives in the darkness of desperate searching. The “Spirit” is sent to remain with us so that we might do the same and remain In Christ and remain ourselves gratefully.
We often make decisions by listening to a gut instinct or inner voice. How do we know whether our decisions are made from listening to that inner voice within us, or we are following the voice of selfishness or keeping up with society? One way is to ask ourselves if that decision will give us greater joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness and self control. Those are all gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Homily for April 20, 2008
The Fifth Sunday in Easter, 2008
Acts 6:1-7
Psalm 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19
1 Peter 2:4-9
John 14:1-12
In our history classes in school we read the stories about heroic men and women who helped create the United States: persons like George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Susan B. Anthony, Isaac Jogues, Elizabeth Seton, Dorothy Day, Pope John Paul II. The stories about these persons are an important part of our nation and our church identity. They give us a notion of who we are.
Since Tuesday you who watched the American news media were privileged to get a special glimpse in the life of a person we call Pope Benedict XVI. Hundreds of thousands stood for days along Pennsylvania Avenue to see and wave at him, and 46,000 were at the National Stadium to participate in Mass on Thursday. An ever larger number will be at Yankee Stadium this afternoon for his farewell Mass in New York City. And millions throughout our country and the world identified in some way with this 81 year old man who is the 265th Pope in the chair of St. Peter, the First Pope. So today I want to examine with you the invitation to ministry in the Catholic Church and how you and I of St. James Parish fit into that invitation.
For the past few weeks we have been reading from the Acts of the Apostles. The Acts contains stories like that of Pope Benedict and many others who have served others. It is the story of the beginnings of the Catholic Church after Jesus died. In the Acts we are informed about the Holy Spirit coming on the Apostles; of St. Paul's conversion; of a decision to accept those who were not Jews into the Catholic church; of what they did at Mass; of members teaching others about the new religion.
The Acts of the Apostles is the story of the early church struggling to survive. Jesus did not leave any instructions what to do when he was gone other than to pray and and join together at Mass to hear his message and receive communion. An immediate problem after his death concerned new Greek Catholics who spoke Greek and new Jewish Catholics who spoke Hebrew. What language should they us at Mass? Jesus left no plan. It was up to the 11 apostles to develop a plan and to form a church.
As with every new organization, the early Church had its own growing pains. One of these was the division of labor. The Apostles were being asked to preach and lead the prayers. They were also asked to take care of widows and orphans. Whether they wanted it or not, they became administrators and Pastors. They had to count and distribute the money, take care of the church buildings and property. As with any family there were occasional disagreements.
Each of the Apostles was a Bishop. In the beginning there was no known ministries or helpers. There were no priests, nor any other helpers with the work of the church. They said: IT IS NOT RIGHT THAT WE SHOULD NEGLECT THE WORD OF GOD TO SERVE AT TABLE. So they selected seven men of good standing from the group among whom were Stephen, Philip and Nicholas. Their ministry will be to continue to do the “deeds” of Jesus, the “works” which are the manifestation of the Holy Spirit. They prayed over them and ordained them deacons. That was the beginning of the Permanent Diaconate in the Catholic Church. These men were asked to help parishioners who were in need, and to assist the Bishop at Mass by reading from the Bible and preaching.
During the first 200 years of the Catholic church there were no persons known as priests, yet there were men who did what I as a priest do today. There were only Bishops and Deacons. Priests came later in order to take over some of the duties of the Bishop. That is why that to this very day a priest is assigned by the Bishop to represent him in the parishes of the Diocese.
This brings us to today. During this past week those of you who are registered as members of St. James Church received a brochure from me. It stated that our Bishop Cunningham requested that all parishes of this diocese do something to sustain our faith and secure our future. The Cunneen Corporation of Connecticut was hired to do this for all parishes.
In every parish this is intended to increase the income of the parish. In reviewing this parish's finances and discussing this with many persons I decided that those of you who give through weekly Sunday envelopes already contributed very much and increased that income over the past twenty years. I therefore decided that our goal was to invite you to consider your present contributions, but also for registered or new parishioners to consider using weekly envelopes as a way of financial support to the financial needs of your parish. That is the purpose of the white envelopes in the pews today.
For the past 8 years it has it has given me great joy to be your pastor. July marks the 154th year since Irish immigrants were welcomed to this area by the priests and men and woman of the Plattsburgh area. They did what generations had done before. They opened their doors to the tired, the poor, the starving, the huddled masses yearning to breath free. These are our ancestors. They are the people whom America has made her own. They themselves built this church from the wood and stones they found in the Saranac River Valley. We can be very thankful that they gave of their time, their abilities and the little money they had so that they and generations after could find a place to worship, to receive the sacraments and to pray. Their tireless efforts to spread the teachings of Jesus in this territory has enabled us to be here today.
Of those who came to build a new life here, many were able to make good use of the resources and opportunities that they found, and to attain a high level of prosperity. Indeed, the people of this parish are known for their generosity -- not only of their money but also giving of their time in volunteering in many different ways -- ways that most of you would take for granted unless you saw persons giving of their time. An example that most of you would never consider are those who after every Mass collect the bulletins you leave in the pews, and arrange the books in front of you for those who come to the next Mass. Otherwise I would have to take care of them.
Jesus so often said that he came to serve, not to be served. This call stewardship. How do we use the gifts that God has given to each of us? As a result from his time till today we have men and women who have accepted that invitation to serve others as part of being Catholics and members of a Catholic parish. They place their wide-ranging gifts at the service of our parish. Until recently the word Minister was mostly associated with Protestant religions. However, the reform of the Mass or what is known as the liturgy of the Eucharist involves different tasks or jobs. We call persons who do this MINISTERS and their activities is called MINISTRY. This includes many men and women, young persons whom you see here at St. James: altar server, lector, cantor, choir, ushers, eucharistic minister, religion teachers, those who bring communion to the homebound, trustees, members of the Parish Council, persons taking care of our food shelf and Birthright, those preparing receptions for families after a funeral. Each of them have a tradition or history within the church. At one time the priest did all of them.
The motivation for any form of ministry is a desire to serve others base on the teachings of Jesus that we are called to serve, not to be served. This gift we all receive at Baptism. Each ministry performs a public service for all other members of the parish. Communities of nuns began because someone asked others to join them to serve the needs of all others. Some of these worked for worship, others were teachers, others giving medical care, others places of prayer.
I ask you for your continued giving of your money to take care of the financial needs of the parish. I invite those of you who would like to begin contributing through envelopes to fill out the card in the envelope in front of you. I offer an invitation to all of you to consider ministry in one of our present parish ministries. Many cannot or do not want to minister in public ways. However, at our Baptism we promised that we would help one another to come to Jesus. Each one of us does this when we offer support to others by our daily works and acts of kindness and encouragement, by our generous giving of our time, of our talents and of our finances.
Acts 6:1-7
Psalm 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19
1 Peter 2:4-9
John 14:1-12
In our history classes in school we read the stories about heroic men and women who helped create the United States: persons like George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Susan B. Anthony, Isaac Jogues, Elizabeth Seton, Dorothy Day, Pope John Paul II. The stories about these persons are an important part of our nation and our church identity. They give us a notion of who we are.
Since Tuesday you who watched the American news media were privileged to get a special glimpse in the life of a person we call Pope Benedict XVI. Hundreds of thousands stood for days along Pennsylvania Avenue to see and wave at him, and 46,000 were at the National Stadium to participate in Mass on Thursday. An ever larger number will be at Yankee Stadium this afternoon for his farewell Mass in New York City. And millions throughout our country and the world identified in some way with this 81 year old man who is the 265th Pope in the chair of St. Peter, the First Pope. So today I want to examine with you the invitation to ministry in the Catholic Church and how you and I of St. James Parish fit into that invitation.
For the past few weeks we have been reading from the Acts of the Apostles. The Acts contains stories like that of Pope Benedict and many others who have served others. It is the story of the beginnings of the Catholic Church after Jesus died. In the Acts we are informed about the Holy Spirit coming on the Apostles; of St. Paul's conversion; of a decision to accept those who were not Jews into the Catholic church; of what they did at Mass; of members teaching others about the new religion.
The Acts of the Apostles is the story of the early church struggling to survive. Jesus did not leave any instructions what to do when he was gone other than to pray and and join together at Mass to hear his message and receive communion. An immediate problem after his death concerned new Greek Catholics who spoke Greek and new Jewish Catholics who spoke Hebrew. What language should they us at Mass? Jesus left no plan. It was up to the 11 apostles to develop a plan and to form a church.
As with every new organization, the early Church had its own growing pains. One of these was the division of labor. The Apostles were being asked to preach and lead the prayers. They were also asked to take care of widows and orphans. Whether they wanted it or not, they became administrators and Pastors. They had to count and distribute the money, take care of the church buildings and property. As with any family there were occasional disagreements.
Each of the Apostles was a Bishop. In the beginning there was no known ministries or helpers. There were no priests, nor any other helpers with the work of the church. They said: IT IS NOT RIGHT THAT WE SHOULD NEGLECT THE WORD OF GOD TO SERVE AT TABLE. So they selected seven men of good standing from the group among whom were Stephen, Philip and Nicholas. Their ministry will be to continue to do the “deeds” of Jesus, the “works” which are the manifestation of the Holy Spirit. They prayed over them and ordained them deacons. That was the beginning of the Permanent Diaconate in the Catholic Church. These men were asked to help parishioners who were in need, and to assist the Bishop at Mass by reading from the Bible and preaching.
During the first 200 years of the Catholic church there were no persons known as priests, yet there were men who did what I as a priest do today. There were only Bishops and Deacons. Priests came later in order to take over some of the duties of the Bishop. That is why that to this very day a priest is assigned by the Bishop to represent him in the parishes of the Diocese.
This brings us to today. During this past week those of you who are registered as members of St. James Church received a brochure from me. It stated that our Bishop Cunningham requested that all parishes of this diocese do something to sustain our faith and secure our future. The Cunneen Corporation of Connecticut was hired to do this for all parishes.
In every parish this is intended to increase the income of the parish. In reviewing this parish's finances and discussing this with many persons I decided that those of you who give through weekly Sunday envelopes already contributed very much and increased that income over the past twenty years. I therefore decided that our goal was to invite you to consider your present contributions, but also for registered or new parishioners to consider using weekly envelopes as a way of financial support to the financial needs of your parish. That is the purpose of the white envelopes in the pews today.
For the past 8 years it has it has given me great joy to be your pastor. July marks the 154th year since Irish immigrants were welcomed to this area by the priests and men and woman of the Plattsburgh area. They did what generations had done before. They opened their doors to the tired, the poor, the starving, the huddled masses yearning to breath free. These are our ancestors. They are the people whom America has made her own. They themselves built this church from the wood and stones they found in the Saranac River Valley. We can be very thankful that they gave of their time, their abilities and the little money they had so that they and generations after could find a place to worship, to receive the sacraments and to pray. Their tireless efforts to spread the teachings of Jesus in this territory has enabled us to be here today.
Of those who came to build a new life here, many were able to make good use of the resources and opportunities that they found, and to attain a high level of prosperity. Indeed, the people of this parish are known for their generosity -- not only of their money but also giving of their time in volunteering in many different ways -- ways that most of you would take for granted unless you saw persons giving of their time. An example that most of you would never consider are those who after every Mass collect the bulletins you leave in the pews, and arrange the books in front of you for those who come to the next Mass. Otherwise I would have to take care of them.
Jesus so often said that he came to serve, not to be served. This call stewardship. How do we use the gifts that God has given to each of us? As a result from his time till today we have men and women who have accepted that invitation to serve others as part of being Catholics and members of a Catholic parish. They place their wide-ranging gifts at the service of our parish. Until recently the word Minister was mostly associated with Protestant religions. However, the reform of the Mass or what is known as the liturgy of the Eucharist involves different tasks or jobs. We call persons who do this MINISTERS and their activities is called MINISTRY. This includes many men and women, young persons whom you see here at St. James: altar server, lector, cantor, choir, ushers, eucharistic minister, religion teachers, those who bring communion to the homebound, trustees, members of the Parish Council, persons taking care of our food shelf and Birthright, those preparing receptions for families after a funeral. Each of them have a tradition or history within the church. At one time the priest did all of them.
The motivation for any form of ministry is a desire to serve others base on the teachings of Jesus that we are called to serve, not to be served. This gift we all receive at Baptism. Each ministry performs a public service for all other members of the parish. Communities of nuns began because someone asked others to join them to serve the needs of all others. Some of these worked for worship, others were teachers, others giving medical care, others places of prayer.
I ask you for your continued giving of your money to take care of the financial needs of the parish. I invite those of you who would like to begin contributing through envelopes to fill out the card in the envelope in front of you. I offer an invitation to all of you to consider ministry in one of our present parish ministries. Many cannot or do not want to minister in public ways. However, at our Baptism we promised that we would help one another to come to Jesus. Each one of us does this when we offer support to others by our daily works and acts of kindness and encouragement, by our generous giving of our time, of our talents and of our finances.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Homily for April 12, 2008
The Fourth Sunday in Easter, 2008
Acts 2:14a, 36-41
Psalm 23: 13a, 3b4, 5, 6
1 Peter 2:20b-25
John 10:1-10
Most Catholics have a special image of Jesus. It could be the baby in a manger; it could be the scene of the wealthy man who got on top of a roof to see Jesus; it could be the last supper with his 12 apostles. Mine is the scene of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, the image of Jesus holding a little sheep in his arms with a shepherd's staff in the other hand. In a sense it is related to my decision to become a priest. As I visited Wadhams Hall Seminary in 1950 wondering if God wanted me to be a priest, I saw this image of Jesus the Good Shepherd in one of the windows in the chapel. When I returned to the Seminary a year later to begin my preparation to become a Catholic priest, that chapel was the center of my spiritual development. Today is Good Shepherd Sunday, and just a few days before Pope Benedict XVI, our good shepherd, arrives for a five day visit to the United States.
In the world of Jesus, sheep and shepherds were very common. So, when Jesus says he is a good shepherd, he is using an image that would be easily understood by those to whomhe was speaking. Sheep are very dumb animals who will wander away or scatter, especially when approached by an animal of prey. It was the job of shepherds to protect the sheep. As a great teacher, Jesus used stories and images to teach. And today he uses the comparison of himself to a Good Shepherd who knows each sheep by name and takes care of them.
Shepherds carried two items with them. One of these was a rod and the other a staff. The Good Shepherd Psalm which we just prayed refers to the staff of the shepherd. The rod was usually quite long and had a hook at one end so that the shepherd could pull the sheep pack into the flock. The staff usually hung from the shepherds belt. It was a short wooden club with a lump of wood at the end. The shepherd used this to defend himself and the sheep against thieves. At times the shepherd might have the help of a sheep dog, but that was not very common when Jesus was living.
Most towns and villages in Palestine had a common place where shepherds would bring their sheep for the night. This was call the sheepfold. These were open air enclosures walled in by stones on top of which was a barrier of briars or thorn bushes. The gate was small. Only one sheep could go though the gate at a time. Once the flock was inside there was no heavy door or gate. A paid gate keeper or shepherds would take turns at night so that no one would come to steal the sheep, or no animals would come to kill the sheep. They would stand at the gate, or at times even lie down across the opening.
Each morning the shepherds would come to gather their sheep. Sheep, like many animals, easily recognize the special sounds. Each owner had agreed to a name or sound by which he would call his sheep -- almost like a family name. They would call out in a very soft voice or whistle the name given to their sheep. As the sheep recognized the name it would go to the shepherd. The sheep would then follow the shepherd gently out of the gate. Often we think of sheep following the shepherd. But that is not the case. The shepherd followed the sheep, much as farmers use to do when they would get cows from the pasture for milking. Following the sheep allows the shepherd to keep an eye on them. Also, if a sheep would wander away, the shepherd will see it, make a specific sound, and call it back to the flock. A shepherd was a non-threatening kind of leader. The shepherd had to be a good judge of the weather. He must be always looking for better pastures for his sheep. The sheep and their protection, and their growth and welfare must be his priority.
In our Gospel today Jesus wants to be known as a shepherd as well as a gatekeeper. In a sense we are like sheep. We too come together, live in villages or communities, live as families, join or form a religious or faith community. And we find our leaders: either those we elect, or are assigned to us, or we, with God's help, find a partner whom we marry and form a family. As Jesus says in today's Gospel: Rather than follow a stranger, we tend to follow someone whose voice we recognize.
Jesus is the good shepherd. He knows all of us by name. He is also the sheep gate. All who enter through his gate will have eternal life. If we turn to Jesus when we are troubled, we can find quiet and inner peace. In times of fear and anxiety, Jesus is ready to give us comfort. In the Eucharist, Jesus feeds us spiritually and consoles us. Jesus promises us that we will dwell with him for eternity.
Jesus encourages us to be servant leaders. More and more as we listen to the national and world events we should become convinced of the need for all persons to choose true leaders in the image of Jesus. Jesus teaches us that leadership is not an exercise of power by the leader but rather helping others to be all that God wanted them to be. The desire for power, possessions and prestige are often enemies of true servant leadership. A leader is best when people barely know the leader exists. When the leader's work is done, we can say WE DID IT OURSELVES.
That was Jesus. The world of his time would have called him a failure. Yet he gave us a spiritual way of life based on love: Love your enemies, Do good to those who hate you. Love one another as you love yourself. And love God as you love yourself.
If Jesus were here today, he would not use the image of the shepherd and the sheep. But what image would Christ use today to illustrate this love? Might he speak of a mother and father, of a teacher, a fireman or rescue squad volunteer, a nurse or doctor, a young person helping out at home, or with the shut ins? In other words, anyone who would be willing to die for those in their care. Fortunately, we have many today who are willing to do so. In fact all of us, at one time or another have responsibility for others.
As is the case with sheep, we also need to learn how to recognize the voice of Jesus within us, and how to distinguish it from the many other voices in our lives. The “voice” of Jesus and the Christian message does not sound attractive to everyone who hears it. I think it was Chesterton who remarked that Christianity hasn’t failed, it just hasn’t been tried yet.
Nearly every moment of the day we are faced with seductive advertisements we receive through TV, radio, computers, newspapers and movies. These certainly are a strong voice to which many of us have bowed down and worshipped. They are like cancer which is eating away our Christian faith and worship.
However, within all this communication jungle Jesus continues speaking through the Church. Into all this noise, we who hear His voice speak it in words and actions, that the life He came to give us in “abundance” is still available and worth living. Jesus is not a demand, but an invitation extended to and through us. Sharing, encouraging life, and recovery are the words we have heard and the gestures which will eventually bring about God’s one flock. We must truly want to make Jesus our shepherd; to make his teachings part of our lives, to love the way he showed us to love. The choice is ours.
Acts 2:14a, 36-41
Psalm 23: 13a, 3b4, 5, 6
1 Peter 2:20b-25
John 10:1-10
Most Catholics have a special image of Jesus. It could be the baby in a manger; it could be the scene of the wealthy man who got on top of a roof to see Jesus; it could be the last supper with his 12 apostles. Mine is the scene of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, the image of Jesus holding a little sheep in his arms with a shepherd's staff in the other hand. In a sense it is related to my decision to become a priest. As I visited Wadhams Hall Seminary in 1950 wondering if God wanted me to be a priest, I saw this image of Jesus the Good Shepherd in one of the windows in the chapel. When I returned to the Seminary a year later to begin my preparation to become a Catholic priest, that chapel was the center of my spiritual development. Today is Good Shepherd Sunday, and just a few days before Pope Benedict XVI, our good shepherd, arrives for a five day visit to the United States.
In the world of Jesus, sheep and shepherds were very common. So, when Jesus says he is a good shepherd, he is using an image that would be easily understood by those to whomhe was speaking. Sheep are very dumb animals who will wander away or scatter, especially when approached by an animal of prey. It was the job of shepherds to protect the sheep. As a great teacher, Jesus used stories and images to teach. And today he uses the comparison of himself to a Good Shepherd who knows each sheep by name and takes care of them.
Shepherds carried two items with them. One of these was a rod and the other a staff. The Good Shepherd Psalm which we just prayed refers to the staff of the shepherd. The rod was usually quite long and had a hook at one end so that the shepherd could pull the sheep pack into the flock. The staff usually hung from the shepherds belt. It was a short wooden club with a lump of wood at the end. The shepherd used this to defend himself and the sheep against thieves. At times the shepherd might have the help of a sheep dog, but that was not very common when Jesus was living.
Most towns and villages in Palestine had a common place where shepherds would bring their sheep for the night. This was call the sheepfold. These were open air enclosures walled in by stones on top of which was a barrier of briars or thorn bushes. The gate was small. Only one sheep could go though the gate at a time. Once the flock was inside there was no heavy door or gate. A paid gate keeper or shepherds would take turns at night so that no one would come to steal the sheep, or no animals would come to kill the sheep. They would stand at the gate, or at times even lie down across the opening.
Each morning the shepherds would come to gather their sheep. Sheep, like many animals, easily recognize the special sounds. Each owner had agreed to a name or sound by which he would call his sheep -- almost like a family name. They would call out in a very soft voice or whistle the name given to their sheep. As the sheep recognized the name it would go to the shepherd. The sheep would then follow the shepherd gently out of the gate. Often we think of sheep following the shepherd. But that is not the case. The shepherd followed the sheep, much as farmers use to do when they would get cows from the pasture for milking. Following the sheep allows the shepherd to keep an eye on them. Also, if a sheep would wander away, the shepherd will see it, make a specific sound, and call it back to the flock. A shepherd was a non-threatening kind of leader. The shepherd had to be a good judge of the weather. He must be always looking for better pastures for his sheep. The sheep and their protection, and their growth and welfare must be his priority.
In our Gospel today Jesus wants to be known as a shepherd as well as a gatekeeper. In a sense we are like sheep. We too come together, live in villages or communities, live as families, join or form a religious or faith community. And we find our leaders: either those we elect, or are assigned to us, or we, with God's help, find a partner whom we marry and form a family. As Jesus says in today's Gospel: Rather than follow a stranger, we tend to follow someone whose voice we recognize.
Jesus is the good shepherd. He knows all of us by name. He is also the sheep gate. All who enter through his gate will have eternal life. If we turn to Jesus when we are troubled, we can find quiet and inner peace. In times of fear and anxiety, Jesus is ready to give us comfort. In the Eucharist, Jesus feeds us spiritually and consoles us. Jesus promises us that we will dwell with him for eternity.
Jesus encourages us to be servant leaders. More and more as we listen to the national and world events we should become convinced of the need for all persons to choose true leaders in the image of Jesus. Jesus teaches us that leadership is not an exercise of power by the leader but rather helping others to be all that God wanted them to be. The desire for power, possessions and prestige are often enemies of true servant leadership. A leader is best when people barely know the leader exists. When the leader's work is done, we can say WE DID IT OURSELVES.
That was Jesus. The world of his time would have called him a failure. Yet he gave us a spiritual way of life based on love: Love your enemies, Do good to those who hate you. Love one another as you love yourself. And love God as you love yourself.
If Jesus were here today, he would not use the image of the shepherd and the sheep. But what image would Christ use today to illustrate this love? Might he speak of a mother and father, of a teacher, a fireman or rescue squad volunteer, a nurse or doctor, a young person helping out at home, or with the shut ins? In other words, anyone who would be willing to die for those in their care. Fortunately, we have many today who are willing to do so. In fact all of us, at one time or another have responsibility for others.
As is the case with sheep, we also need to learn how to recognize the voice of Jesus within us, and how to distinguish it from the many other voices in our lives. The “voice” of Jesus and the Christian message does not sound attractive to everyone who hears it. I think it was Chesterton who remarked that Christianity hasn’t failed, it just hasn’t been tried yet.
Nearly every moment of the day we are faced with seductive advertisements we receive through TV, radio, computers, newspapers and movies. These certainly are a strong voice to which many of us have bowed down and worshipped. They are like cancer which is eating away our Christian faith and worship.
However, within all this communication jungle Jesus continues speaking through the Church. Into all this noise, we who hear His voice speak it in words and actions, that the life He came to give us in “abundance” is still available and worth living. Jesus is not a demand, but an invitation extended to and through us. Sharing, encouraging life, and recovery are the words we have heard and the gestures which will eventually bring about God’s one flock. We must truly want to make Jesus our shepherd; to make his teachings part of our lives, to love the way he showed us to love. The choice is ours.
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