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Homily stories

29 Apr 2012 - Fourth Sunday of Easter; Good Shepherd Sunday, Cycle B

SHEPHERDING goes back a long way in scripture. Abel was the first, and future shepherds would include an all-star list from Israelite history: Abraham, Rachel, Jacob, Moses, and David. “Shepherd” could also be a metaphor for Israelite kings, like David, or even for God. In the New Testament some shepherds were the first visitors to the “newborn king” in Bethlehem; Jesus told Saint Peter to “feed my sheep” (John 21:17); and Saint Paul saw the early church in terms of a flock to be “overseen” (Acts 20:28). The entire 34th chapter of the Book of Ezekiel is devoted to discussion of good and bad shepherding. False shepherds were stealing from their own people, feeding themselves instead of the flock, and in general behaving irresponsibly, This behavior triggered God’s flock-takeover until someone could be found who would follow the example of a good shepherd. So when Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd,” he’s putting himself in the role of not only Israel’s past patriarchs, matriarchs, and kings, but also God. What also makes him a truly “good” shepherd is his willingness to make the complete sacrifice of self he asks of those who follow him, whether shepherd or sheep.

Authors Joel Schorn

shepherds shepherding

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The inner word

07 May 2017 - Fourth Sunday of Easter; Good Shepherd Sunday, Cycle A

As a preacher and perhaps a pastor, you know a little something about shepherding. Examine that role. Do my sheep know me? Can I call my sheep by name? How confident am I that I'm leading them toward God and green pastures? What more could I do to make myself worthy to lead them? Who shepherds me in my work? Do I trust that person? What could I, he/she, or we do together to improve our relationship? Do I really believe Christ knows my name? When do I hear him calling me?

shepherds shepherding

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Exploring the word

22 Jul 2018 - Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B

If psalms had a rating system, Psalm 23 would probably top the charts. It’s the most requested prayer at funerals, and in the average gathering of Christians, it seems to beat out the other 149 choices as the sure favorite for personal meditation. Maybe it’s simply the best known of the collection, and familiarity creates popularity. But there’s also something to be said for its comforting message and peaceful imagery. God is presented as the shepherd and sustainer, guardian and guide, and gracious host. With such a companion at our side, the dark valley is no longer dangerous; there’s no reason to fear and nothing to want. Even in the secular ancient world, the image of the shepherd was ubiquitous as a symbol of trustworthy leadership. Often portrayed with a lone sheep draped around his neck, the shepherd was a fellow you could count on to keep the people safe and satisfied. Back then, of course, everybody knew what a shepherd was up close: the keeper of the economy. Sheep were vital to the community, as they provided an important source of food and milk, clothing, and shelter (tents). Sheep were needed for religious purposes in sacrifice, and in business as their skins were used for writing. Most shepherds worked for their own families, guarding the flocks day and night. These animals are unusually helpless in the face of an attack, so without such a protector herds could easily be lost. God loves a shepherd But shepherds were not only popular symbols in secular culture. The Bible seems to fairly burst with them. Many great figures of Israel started out as shepherds, including Abraham, Isaac, Rachel, Jacob, Moses, and David. Good Abel, before he died, was identified as a shepherd. When previewing options for management roles, someone with a history of watchfulness, nurturance, concern for the weak, and courage under attack is a solid candidate. Considering how often God fingered these herdsmen as natural leaders for the burgeoning nation, it is no wonder that exilic prophets like Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Isaiah, and Zechariah used shepherd imagery to express what happened when the leaders did well, or badly. The liturgical life of the assembly as illustrated by the psalms is replete with both positive and negative allusions to shepherding. Sometimes the valiant protector is revealed as God or the king, but death, too, is viewed as an ultimate kind of shepherd. In the gospel, of course, shepherds are among the first on the scene at the birth of Jesus. Although Jesus doesn’t seem partial to this profession when he chooses his closest followers, he identifies himself in the role of shepherd and his ministry as one of seeking out lost sheep. In the final judgment, Jesus presents his work as one of sorting out sheep and goats. Goats, as prized as sheep for similar reasons, were known to be more strong-willed and independent creatures. When Jesus is ready to relinquish his ministry to his friends, he passes the crook, so to speak, with the words, “Feed my lambs.” Bad times for the sheep The only good time to be a lamb is when competent and caring leadership is available. Otherwise, danger abounds and confusion, scattering, and separation of the flock are not far behind. Jeremiah speaks against religious and royal leadership in Israel on the cusp of exile when the scattering of the nation is imminent. Bad shepherds have tranquilized the nation with broad smiles and reports of “peace, peace,” when there is no peace ahead. Living in a fantasy world of their own ideology, they do not see the real historical forces about to descend on Israel. God’s prophets have warned them early and often; the preference for a comfortable political illusion of security has outweighed Israel’s primary commitment to the covenant—as usual. The God of Israel doesn’t abandon the nation in time of jeopardy, being the very best sort of shepherd. Justice is coming in the form of a wise and righteous king who can provide real security because he pays attention to divine promptings. We recognize the fulfillment of Jeremiah’s prophecy in Jesus, who cares for his 12 companions and the vast crowd with the same wise and compassionate heart. The disciples have completed their first mission and are in need of rest. Yet the need of the world never rests. So Jesus, moved with pity, begins another round of teaching, seeking to answer the great and yawning ignorance of the populace. They don’t know why they’re here, what the purpose of their own lives is, what God wants of them. How can a good shepherd not respond? For Jesus, as for Jeremiah, the confusion of the sheep is personal. Jeremiah is wracked to the bone with it, and Jesus takes it to the cross. The best shepherds were always family members, for whom the survival of the flock and the welfare of the community were one and the same. Their motivation was love and loyalty, not salary. Upon such leaders the future of the flock has always relied. Applying the Word Christ is our peace When the leaders around Jeremiah hushed the concerns of the nation by assuring them of “peace, peace,” they actually offered vaporware. The good shepherd doesn’t peddle mere sentiment and ideology, but backs up words with deeds—to the extent of putting his or her life on the line. Peace becomes real when the words become flesh, as they did in Bethlehem and at Calvary. Reconciliation is a tough business to get into, and it won’t ever be enough to say we’re sorry. We have to live reconciliation, be reconcilers, choose the words and the ways of peace with equal passion. So long as we insist on privilege and prejudice, the walls of enmity remain strong, and we remain on the far side of the possibility of peace. Worldly shepherds may not be the ones to count on to guide us through the dark valley, because they will always have allegiances to their own bottom line. The shepherd we’re looking for has already spread the table for us, and we’re welcome to the goodness of his house. Related scripture links Hebrew shepherds: Gen. 4:2; 12:16; 29:9-14; 30:25-43; Exod. 3:1; 1 Sam. 17:34-35 Prophecy about shepherds: Jer. 3:15; Ezek. 34:1-31; Isa. 40:11; Zech. 13:7 Psalms on shepherds: Pss. 23, 49, 74, 78, 80 Gospel shepherds: Luke 2:8-20; Mark 14:27; Matt. 2:6; 9:36; 10:5-6; 15:24; 18:12-14; 25:31-45; 26:31; John 10:1-30; 21:15-19 Peace, peace: Jer. 6:14; 8:11 Catechism links Shepherds: CCC 525; 543; 553; 605; 754; 764; 881; 896; 1038; 1551

Authors Alice Camille

shepherds sheep reconciliation shepherding psalm 23

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Homily stories

22 Jul 2018 - Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B

Two things Bob hated to do: go to the dentist and deal with the Department of Motor Vehicles. He’d already had his semiannual dental checkup. Now he had to visit the DMV. Bob’s sister-in-law was having a hard time and needed a car to get to work and ferry her kids around. So Bob decided to fix up his old Chevy for her to use. It didn’t take much to get it running, but registering it would require a trip to the DMV. The clerk at the DMV was really snotty, and Bob felt demeaned. He wanted to get snotty right back, but he realized it wouldn’t help the situation any. So he got his attitude under control and began to see her as somebody who was just having a bad day and needed a little affirmation. He put on a smile and commented on how well she knew the proper forms and procedures. He ignored her rudeness and joked about his old car, admitted to being flummoxed by all the paperwork, and thanked her repeatedly for her help and expertise. In time she softened, and before long she was smiling along with Bob. The world is full of needy people. We’re easily tempted to see them as a drag on our time and our energy. But it’s very possible that God gives us the resources we have to lend them a helping hand. They are, in some ways, like sheep without a shepherd. All they need is a little kindly shepherding.

Authors Father Paul Boudreau

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Homily stories

21 Jul 2024 - Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B

Like the apostles who gathered together to tell Jesus “all they had done and taught,” every evening at dinner my sisters and I would report to my father and mother all that we had done and learned during the day. We were filled with enthusiasm, each bursting to tell our stories because they delighted my parents. It wasn’t a test or a show of competence. It was a time for laughter and pride in our accomplishments. But most of all it was a time to hear the stories of my parents. Dad would tell us who he met, what sale he made, and how he gave some customer the “A game.” We’d hear about his stops to visit relatives, do a favor for someone, or have a drink with one of his buddies. Sometimes he’d even take us with him when he had to take inventory at some warehouse or demonstrate a product at the local hardware store. Mom’s stories usually centered around her childhood. We never knew our grandmother, who died when my mother was 11, but Mom’s vivid tales of her youth brought all the ancients to life. My parents were not just good shepherds, they were joyful shepherds. They led so well because they loved so well. Their responsibilities did not come as a burden to them but as a reward.

Authors Patrice J. Tuohy

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