Fourth Sunday of Easter: The Good Shepherd

Among the many identities we have of Jesus—the King of Glory, the Suffering Servant, etc.—Jesus the Good Shepherd, speaks powerfully and meaningfully of who he is to us. We see Jesus the Good Shepherd imaged on the walls of the Catacombs of St. Callistus, from sometime in the 3rd century. Those images speak to me too. Hanging in a prominent place in my office is the icon that you see imaged above my chair. I bought it soon after my ordination to remind me of what I’m called to follow and emulate. You may know, the word ‘shepherd’, of Old English and Germanic roots, is synonymous with the ‘pastor’. For Spanish speakers, Jesus is el Buen Pastor.

As your pastor, you and I have been entrusted to each other’s care for almost ten years now. I’ve been so deeply blessed to be assigned here. The notion of a good pastor makes me think of words that Pope John Paul II said in a letter to pastors of the Church, charging them with their responsibility to the people of God: “we should be close to people and all their problems, whether these problems be personal, family or social ones….” (Letter to All the Priests, Holy Thursday 1979). He urged pastors not to be like the hirelings that Jesus differentiated himself against in the Gospel—that while he is the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep, they are just hired hands, with no true sense of ownership of the flock, especially when crisis ensues.

I may have shared with you an occasion about four years ago, in which a long-time parishioner, in a moment of frustration with me, suggesting that I’m just the current version in a series of priests who shuffle in and out of this place—here for a few years, then off to whatever comes next, as though I’m only a visitor or the archbishop’s delegate, not really part of St. Joseph parish. That’s not how I’ve ever seen myself here, even if he or others see it that way.

All I can do as your pastor, is to try to exercise this office, as the Church calls me to, as I believe God calls me to, and within my limited abilities. But while I am your pastor, I’m not the Good Shepherd. While I’ve promised to conform my life to Christ the Good Shepherd, I still bear the effects of human weakness: struggling with moments of fear, resentments, self-preoccupation, ingratitude, and so much else.

While that’s true, I think back to what occurred at my priestly ordination. Archbishop Brunett addressed me with these words: ”My son, before you proceed to the order of the presbyterate, declare before the people your intention to undertake the priestly office….Are you resolved, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to discharge without fail the office of priesthood….in caring for the Lord's flock?” I replied, “I am.” Then he asked, ”Are you resolved to consecrate your life to God for the salvation of his people, and to unite yourself more closely every day to Christ the High Priest….?” I said, “I am, with the help of God.”

       Then my hands were anointed with Sacred Chrism and Archbishop Brunett laid hands on me as he prayed. It’s only in whatever way that I draw upon the grace I received that day, and in trying to stay close to the Good Shepherd through prayer—that I can be pastor to you as God wills.

Very recently, I was informed that Archbishop Etienne would like me to remain as your pastor for another six years, and for this I am so very grateful. It’s entirely fair for you to have that expectation of me: that I be not just a be a hireling, and furthermore that I don’t rely merely on my own interior resources, but instead on God’s grace, as well as your support and your skills. You deserve a holy pastor and should desire it. When I fall short of it, please pray for me.

          But the analogy of shepherd and flock has its limitations. While I’m not the Good Shepherd, you are not sheep. Sheep are known for being passive and a little vacant between the ears. That’s not your call, yet maybe there are some of us who file in and out of here each week like sheep—not dumb, but instead, sort-of lost or checked-out. It might be time for you to seek out our Good Shepherd with greater attention and effort, to tune-in and get involved. It’s fair for you to have an expectation of me, but maybe it’s also fair that there is an expectation of you. How is this community, this flock, strengthened by you? As you ponder that, please know that I love you and I’m blessed to be your pastor.