Many of the 187 Scripture verses on shepherds or shepherding refer to God as the shepherd of His people, but He also called shepherds and shepherdesses to lead and influence His people, including Abraham, Isaac, Rachel, Jacob, Jacob’s sons, Zipporah, Moses, and David.
Guarding the Sheep. At the end of the day, shepherds lead their flocks from pastures through a gate into a stone-fenced area (sheepfold) for protection from wolves. In the morning, the shepherds lead their respective flocks out by calling them through the gate to go back out into the pastures. The sheep of a flock follow the voice of their shepherd they know, but do not follow the voice of strangers.
Voices of Strangers. Many Catholics—and much of society—have left the sheepfold and gone astray by listening to the empty modern voices of relativism, scientism, rationalism, consumerism, individualism, skepticism, narcissism, genderideologyism, etc. I’m astounded at how rapidly our culture is deteriorating and fractioning, because so many people are following these voices which are alien to true human goodness and dignity, to their (and our) ruin.
The Voice of Jesus the Good Shepherd. In today’s gospel (John 10:11-18), Jesus uses the image of the “Good Shepherd” to make an important point to us today. Since there are strange and even dangerous voices in the air, we need to recognize His voice (John 10:16). Fortunately, the voice of the Good Shepherd continues to speak to His sheep through the magisterium of the Church He founded.
“The Church is, accordingly, a sheepfold, the sole and necessary gateway to which is Christ [John 10:9]. It is also the flock of which God himself foretold that he would be the shepherd, and whose sheep, even though governed by human shepherds, are unfailingly nourished and led by Christ himself, the Good Shepherd and Prince of Shepherds, who gave his life for his sheep.” – Catechism of the Catholic Church, #754
Lost and Found. It’s sad that so many have left the sheepfold of the Catholic Church (some due to no deliberate effort on their part) guarded by Jesus the Good Shepherd. Fortunately, our Pastorate has an Easter Season forum that makes it easy to invite people back (remember “3-in-1”): SEEKERS is for people who feel spiritually disconnected with the Catholic Church who have questions and seek answers in the hope of becoming reconnected with His flock. It’s also for people who are just inquiring about God and/or the Church. At our first of three SEEKERS sessions on April 8, seekers who had been invited by parishioners asked good questions and were given answers that settled their misconceptions about certain Church teachings. I invite you to come and bring other seekers with you to our next two sessions:
- April 22 at OLC in the Maryland Suite, and
- May 13 at St. Jane’s in the school, Room 111.
I hope to see many there!
Peace in Christ,
Father Jim
