Fourth Sunday Of Easter, Year B- We Are All Sheep And Some Of Us Are Shepherds

Problems and challenges for shepherds and sheep--

Timothy Laniak in 2007 tells the story of a Bedouin Arab and an American scholar sitting under a tent discussing what it takes to be a true shepherd. The Jordanian shepherd insisted that the heart is the most important thing. He lamented, “My sons don’t have the heart for this work, so they don’t deserve the business. I’ll sell the flocks to someone else before I let my sheep go to those who don’t care for them.”1

Jeremiah 3:15 says, "I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding."

Being emotionally present helps us be aware of what the sheep’s needs are. Like the Legion of Mary prayer group who advises members at the annual group Acies Marian Consecration ceremony: the words “Should not be mechanically or thoughtlessly pronounced.”

When we pray without our hearts engaged, like a robot, it’s a good thing that God doesn’t treat us like a website that asks to prove you are not a robot!

[It turns out that, as you up drag your mouse or cursor--the movement as you go to click that checkbox is the difference between you and a robot- apparently humans move their cursors with more randomness that bots.]

Good Shepherds have a heart for their flock. E.g. Since ancient times, shepherds have made music to calm their flocks, scare off predators, communicate with other shepherds, and pass the time.

Three standard shepherd’s instruments are attested in the Bible: lyre, flute, and horn (shofar).2

The shofar was invented by shepherds for herding animals when human shouts could not be heard because of the wind.

It is important to listen for the voice of the Holy Spirit leading one forward in service. In contrast, shouts from behind that try to drive cattle like a cowboy or cowgirl on horses- driving the cattle to market from behind is a controlling image of leadership.3

We may make mistakes for a long, long time and to go on in our sins, and then the mercy of God reaches out and says, “Now is the time for your breakthrough,” and the Good Shepherd takes us to his flock, carrying us in the shepherd’s arms.

The truth is that we are all sheep and some of us are shepherds in the Church and all of us are shepherds over those in our care. Shepherds are no greater than those he serves, rather, he serves in a different capacity. This is from St. Augustine who tells his flock, “Two things about us must be clearly distinguished: one that we are all Christians, the other, that we [bishops] are placed in charge. Being Christians is for our sake; being in charge is for yours.”4

For Augustine, sheep and shepherds will both give an account of their lives and their leadership to God. This accountability to God does not negate, but rather grounds, our accountability to each other. “Your conscience is open to God; your conduct is open to your brother,” Augustine preaches to pastors.5

Working on the image of the shepherd in the Bible, André Wénin shows that every human being must become the “shepherd of his or her own animality.” By fulfilling their task as shepherds, they learn how to tame their own animality.6 The author has in mind exploitive violence but it can also apply to false teachings from wolves. Or Coyotes, black bears, and mountain lions, who also kill sheep. In other words, shepherds need constant conversion and growth.

John 10:10 says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.” Craig Keener says: “A quick quiz: Who is the thief? When I ask my students this question, they almost always give the same answer: "The Devil." The problem is that the Devil doesn’t appear anywhere in the context of the verse.7

The thief is not the devil per se but leaders and teachers who want the church’s members and influence for themselves. 2 Pet. 2-3 says, there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them--bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.

E.g. New age—a false mysticism were religion is learned as a sentiment from within, so Catholic Christianity is doctrineless.

Or, perhaps called a “‘more pastoral approach” by downplaying doctrine and dogma, taking a looser line on ethics (especially sexual ethics), and minimizing religious differences with others (and so minimizing the importance of being a Catholic).Their pastoral failure is not preaching on the morals of the Church. They do not call out sin or identify error.’”8