Gospel Reflections for April 17 2016
We are not sheep!
Jesus mentions sheep in today’s Gospel …but that image is all wrong for us.
Everyone knew then that sheep were timid and easily frightened. They follow shepherds closely because they feel utterly helpless and unable to care for themselves or defend themselves against wolves. They need and want a shepherd. Well, Jesus is that Good Shepherd who bravely leads the sheep to good food and water, even when there are wolves nearby. Jesus is that Good Shepherd who is both courageous facing danger and compassionate to those in need. He will not be frightened, scared, or intimidated from loving for His flock. I like that image better!
When Jesus said to His disciples, “Follow me,” He did not mean to follow Him as timid sheep that follow a strong shepherd. He meant for us to follow Him …in His role as Shepherd! Jesus does not call us to be sheep …He calls us to be shepherds! It is the Shepherd we imitate, not the sheep!
Many of us are in a position of influence over others, whether it’s our family, friends, neighbors, social media contacts, or fellow employees. Think how they will feel if they sense that you always have their best interests at heart, and will courageously defend them from bad things and compassionately tend to their needs, and lead them to good things. They will want to follow you!
This week, Pope Francis sent to the whole world a beautiful document (The Joy of Love) that affirms the joy of marriage, family, and children as God designed. It also kindly remembers those who are in special marriage situations, like those divorced and remarried outside the church. Their circumstances have led some to feel timid and even afraid of Church people.
Pope Francis wants everyone to imitate the Good Shepherd and kindly guide them all back to the good food and water that comes from active participation in the life of the local parish church. Not all cases are the same so he does not want us to automatically lump people into condescending or hurtful categories. Individual marriage cases will vastly differ in approach and what each person or couple can authentically do in a parish, but everyone should feel there is a wise, courageous, and compassionate shepherd helping them stay connected to the flock. Let us be that person.
Following Jesus means to be a shepherd, not a sheep. Let us each become good shepherds!
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
FR. DAVE:
The Paulist priest, Fr. Gus Quinan, many years ago quoted the following regarding homilies:
“Be brief; be brilliant and be done”.
Your Gospel reflection for today could not represent this approach more perfectly.
And, we consider you very much a model of a wise and compassionate shepherd. May we
always “stay connected”.
Blessings always,
Bob and Rose Mary
I will certainly stay connected with these weekly reflections, which are a joy for me to write.
Thank you for staying connected with us in your weekly reflections. We look forward to reading them every week.
Jerry and Linda Burge
Count on these Reflections every week!
I once heard about the Shepherd that when he is out with the sheep he sleeps in a spot where he is in the way of any wolf that might come afte the sheep, putting himself on the line of getting attacked first. I love this reading and it shows that the Lord is there for us and we need to trust in him as the sheep with their shepherd.
Your going to Whittier is also part of God’s plan to especially getting the University in LA. I know there are other reasons, however, I was invited to a Church of Christ meeting and didn’t go but looked them up. I saw how many in the Philippines are now attending that Church and had left the Catholic Church.. The University program is such a help to people who are questioning. One of the scriptures says that we parish for a lack of knowledge. Since I was part of that group that left years ago I uderstand that with the right understanding of our faith, I probably would not have left. However it was in Bible Collage studing the Pentateuch that it sounded awful Catholic to me. Coming back (not wanting to, of course – no rebellion here :-)) I could see in the Mass the coming together of the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament. WOW. So the four square collage made me more Catholic without realising it. Cute. So when I saw this in the mass there was more studying to do and I got all the books I could not only of the mass but of the faith. Yo
Your University series is a big help to those q. questioning. I have talked with Fr. John from the Philippines and we need to pray for more teachers there that understand the faith and how to present it to them. It is amazing how those in that church over there never realy studied their faith but spend a lot of time with the other and studying their practice. So I am praying for more Catholic evangalists not only here but there also.
I think I am writing a book here. Thankis for your continuing the reflections and the University Series and you will always be on my prayer list.
Thank you for your most interesting comments! I appreciate the journey you have made. Your openness to the spirit moving you has brought you full circle to Catholicism. I think the University Series has done that for a number of people as well, and will be glad to begin it again in a new community, while still keeping this one here going strong.
Loved your reflection Fr. Dave!
Pope Francis is a shining example of a good shepherd. He reaches out with compassionate
love to the wounded warriors as he leads them back to the fold.
We too are compassionate shepherds when we look at others with love and acceptance, as
we follow Jesus to the gate of His Glory
“My sheep listen to my voice! I know them and they follow Me” John v.27
Yes, I love the idea that Jesus calls each of to be leaders in the place where we are!
Nice, succinct explanation and I too do not like being referred to as a sheep….I like the way you have explained that Jesus is encouraging us to follow Him as shepherds-not like sheep.
Congratulations to you Fr. Dave on your assignment in Whittier. That parish will be so very happy to have you. Go spread your wisdom and clarity with others. Our parish was blessed to have you at the helm and our family was especially blessed to have you for first Reconciliations, Holy Communion and Confirmations, numerous school masses and assemblies and for the beautiful funeral Mass you celebrated for my brother. You have a gift and like the passage from Matthew and Luke “..no one lights a lamp and puts it under a bushel basket…”. Let your light shine Fr. Dave!
We will continue to learn from you through the magic of the internet.
God Bless you,
The Schwartz Family
Thank you so much for your wonderful comments. I truly appreciate them. I will miss this area a great deal, but will bring all I have to my new assignment.
Love your explanation Father Dave that we be like the Good Shepherd leading and not like the sheep!!!What a precious life it would be if everyday we touch someone with Jesus precious love!!To be filled with love and
show others we truly care and in doing so become the person God created us to be!!!Our faith is a beautiful gift of love!! If only our world knew the beauty of our Faith!!!It is up to each one of us to live Jesus and radiate His love to everyone!!!Dick and I are blessed every day to attend Mass at St. Jude and I am blessed to be a Eucharistic minister daily!! I love receiving Jesus and giving the gift of Jesus to everyone!! It brings me soooooooooooooooo much joy!!! You are a precious Good Shepherd and have shown us the way!! We miss you so much already but with these beautiful Gospel Reflections. we are one with you!!! Soooooooooooooo happy God gave us the gift of you our Good Shepherd!!!We are soooooooooooooooooooo blessed!!!
Loveeee, Franca and Dick
Thank you!