I Will Give You Shepherds

...they were like sheep without shepherds (Matt. 6:34)

A story is told of a parish chairman, a catechist and a priest. It was judgement day and the parish was condemned to spend eternity in hell. On arrival, he saw a number of faces, known and unknown. He decided to take a tour around hell, at least to get acquainted with his new home. Some minutes into his tour, he stopped short, mouth agape. He had seen someone; not just someone, it was the parish catechist. He moved closer, tapped the catechist on the shoulder and asked, “What are you doing here? I thought you’d be in heaven”. “Ssshhhh!” the catechist hushed, “you might want to be quiet. We can talk about this later. Right now, our parish priest is serving siesta in the next room”. Of course, the church chairman was shocked all the more. His eyes popped like they would fall out of their sockets. He shuddered but could say nothing. He only wondered whether his bishop was there too.

LESSON

The story of man’s salvation is a very interesting one. It could be likened to the relationship between a doting husband and a wayward wife. God, the faithful and loving husband keeps using new strategies to bring back his people, his wayward wife, to himself. Part of the strategies he employs is raising up from among the people leaders who are meant to lead them back to him. In talking about these leaders, he says, “I will raise up shepherds over them who will shepherd them, and they shall not fear any longer, or be dismayed, nor shall any be missing…” (Jer. 23:4)

God’s intention by giving leaders – priest, prophets and kings – to his people, was that these leaders might bring back his people. God’s desire is, and has always been, for man to be saved. God used, is using, and shall still use these leaders to maintain a good rapport with his people. But it hurts so badly when someone who is trusted enough to bear a serious responsibility fails in his duties.

In the Book of the Prophet Malachi, the priests whom God placed as watchmen on the towers of his very own people turned against God and the responsibility which he entrusted to them. They chose the best for themselves and left the worst for God. They used the priesthood as a means of personal aggrandizement at the expense of the divine service of God (cf. Malachi 1:6-14). For this reason, God’s anger was kindled. God was disappointed because the priests led his people away from him. God’s covenant with his people had been broken on account of priests who should have preserved that very covenant (cf. Malachi 2: 1-9).

In contrast, however, the exemplary life of Paul and his companions becomes a magnet which pulls the Christians of Thessalonica closer to God. Not just that they preach; they also live in accordance with the contents of their preaching. Consequently, the Thessalonians accept the word of God with all their hearts (cf. 1 Thess. 2:7-9, 13).

Comparing the two instances presented above, we are then faced with Christ’s admonition to “practise and observe whatever they tell you, but not what they do; for they preach but do not practise” (cf. Matt. 23:3). Christ condemns priests who seek fame and respect even at the expense of the people for whom they are meant to be pastors- shepherds after God’s own heart.

What then do we learn from this? It is abnormal and against God’s will that priests seek their own good but neglect the flock of God under their care. The author of the First Letter of St. Peter thus admonishes every leader who has been put in charge of God’s flock in these words: “I exhort the elders among you to tend the flock of God that is in your charge, exercising the oversight, not under compulsion but willingly, as God would have you to it – not for sordid gain but eagerly. Do not lord it over those in your charge, but be examples to the flock” (1 Peter 5:1-3). The outcome of this is that the people of God will always “remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you; consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith” (Hebrews 13:7).

To the elders who lead the people of God in ways that are pleasing to him, the Chief Shepherd, at his appearing, will give the crown of glory which shall not fade away (cf. 1 Peter 5:4). They can say, like St. Paul, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:7-8).

PRAYER

Dearest Lord and shepherd of our souls, give to your priests a profound love for your people whom you have entrusted to them. May they, by their words and deeds, bring everyone to the knowledge of the truth and of Jesus Christ, one true God. Amen.