Father Chris -Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time- Homily

"Shepherds for Christ"

The Lord is our Shepherd. Never shall we ever want for anything. Jesus told us this himself, choosing a shepherd as the symbol of his care for us. A shepherd is the embodiment of caring: feeding, guiding, and protecting the flock.
 
But this was an unusual choice of symbol for Christ to choose for a few reasons.
First of all, his disciples would have expected Jesus to identify himself with a king, not a lowly shepherd. They were anticipating Christ leading them into a victory over their Roman persecutors, ruling over Judea as a judicial King and Lord. How was a shepherd to do this?
 
Also, the idea of the shepherd, typically a little shepherd boy, has been very idealized by society since Christ’s time. Even the modern idea of the shepherd and their pastoral work is where the term ‘pastor’ came from.
 
But history tells us the typical shepherd Jesus would have known was usually a loner, often an outcast, someone generally poor and unkempt who travelled from area to area with no ties or permanent residence, getting work as a hired hand or itinerant worker, living on the fringe of society. Farmers did not have as many children, if any, to help with tending livestock and farm work. Research tells us many women died in childbirth. Children died early from starvation and disease. Average age expectancy in Christ’s time was 30 to 35 yrs of age. Thus, even more can we imagine the disciplines dismay at Jesus comparing himself to a shepherd.
 
Yet, the working traits of the shepherd align completely with those of Christ who chose wisely someone of low estate just as the OT had predicted he would be. But Christ is the ‘Good’ Shepherd, who provides nourishment, protection, guidance, and healing, watching his flock non-stop with the utmost love and compassion.  
 
“I am the good shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So, when he sees the wolf, he abandons the sheep and runs away. … But I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me … and I lay down my life for the sheep,” (John 10.11-15).     
 
Christ is the ultimate Shepherd, in essence, the ultimate ‘Care-giver’, because the shepherd is the embodiment of caring.
 
Psalm 23 beautifully celebrates our Good Shepherd and from our perspective. Often the choice for funerals and the end of life, psalm 23 is really meant for the living, to give them hope and comfort in this life that they are not alone. Christ is with us day and night, providing rest to our busy, anxious, stressed and often tired minds. He restores our souls, leads and guides us in the right direction. He calms our fears, comforts and protects us when we experience dark times. He provides us with more than everything and anything we need. Above all, he promises that at the end of our life’s lessons, we will journey further in spirit to dwell in peace and joy with him.  
 
Are their shepherds among us? There are many! We see them now: ministering to people in our hospitals, keeping our critical utilities like Bruce Power operating, maintaining necessary services which provide us food and water and other essential needs for our well-being, and those who keep watch over our roadways and infrastructure, while others ensure our homes and workplaces are safe.
 
So, are we good shepherds? Do we welcome those who ask for help? Or do we only tolerate their interruptions? Christ never turned down the crowds who sought him. Do we consider the well-being of others? Or are we caught up in our own wellness? Christ made sure his disciples were fed and rested after their mission journey. Do we complain about and criticize those trying their best to help us, particularly now? Or do we give them respect and love, putting our true trust in the Good Shepherd?
 
A shepherd is about caring, and caring is at the core of Christ’s gospel. Salesian priest, Flor McCarthy, says, “Caring calls for awareness, sensitivity, unselfishness.” A professor he was once visiting was interrupted repeatedly during their meeting. When Flor asked him how he ever gets his work done, the professor replied, “But these people ARE my work!”
 
If we focus on the welfare and wellbeing of others and open ourselves up to caring for them in whatever way we can, the irony is a profound peace and joy will come back to us. Not that we do good works for reward, but rewards do come to those who try their level best to be good shepherds like the Good Shepherd himself.       
 
– Rev Fr Christopher Tracey, Saint Joseph Parish, Saugeen Shores, Ontario