Homilies

16th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME: SHEPHERD KING

MANY OF US would love to have good leaders. They are persons whom we admire because of their good governance. We longed to be ruled by such persons. We look up to them for guidance, hope, and inspiration. Such persons remain respected in society even if they are no longer in power.

Both the first reading and the Gospel have spoken about shepherds. In the ancient Near East writings, shepherds would point to kings. They were rulers or leaders of their people. Jeremiah wrote an oracle that concerns shepherd and flock. In the first reading we have shepherds who deserved the woes of Yahweh because of their misleading and divisive ways. Yahweh determines in his judgement that these shepherd-kings would meet a tragic end.

Opposing these bad shepherds are the newly appointed shepherds who will restore the people of Israel to its former glory. They will lead for the realization of the covenant demands. They will be the true and just leaders appointed to restore the trust and joy of the chosen people. Here, Jeremiah speaks of an heir of David, a royal messiah who fulfils a sacred kingship. This leader is chosen by Yahweh himself to realize the blessings of his covenant. Justice and peace will be experienced by the people.

For many believers this prophecy, rightly points to the shepherd-king par excellence: Jesus Christ. The Psalm attests to a ‘lamb’ and ‘good shepherd.’ In the book of Revelation, they are words which also points to the Christ. The Gospel for this Sunday teaches us about Jesus who felt pity at the people who were like sheep without a shepherd. This flock of sheep needs a good shepherd. After experiencing Israel’s bad shepherds or bad rulers, the people longed for someone who can guide them.

In cooperation to God’s plan to shepherd the flock by himself, truly, he appointed a new David: Jesus Christ. As Good Shepherd, God reverses evil. He defends as a just king. He provides the needy and is a God of prosperity. Blessings will be given to his people as fruit of their obedience to the covenant.

Today’s world would direct us to many shepherds, leaders who depict the ones that we found in Scriptures. Some are of no good use, others are just and reliable leaders. Just the same we have many lost, wounded and strayed sheep; people who want to be saved from the oppressive forces of society.

In reflection, our priests are also called shepherds. Priests and Bishops as who work ‘in persona Christi’ are shepherds to their flocks. This year, we celebrate the Year for Priests. His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI calls out for “holy priests; ministers capable of helping the faithful to experience the Lord’s merciful love, and convinced witnesses of that love.” They are shepherds, who, like the example of St. John Mary Vianney, are the source of strength and inspiration. They teach the faithful to be good friends with God. It is from them that we learn what it means to talk to God. They teach us that daily conversations with God can lead us to freedom.

I know for a fact that our modern day shepherds, our priests are also human beings who get lost and tired. They deserve to have a break; to be given space to heal themselves. They need our prayers. Moreover, God works through them.

The Pope, in his letter proclaiming a year for priests on the 150th anniversary of the “Dies Natalis” of the Curé D’Ars has kind words for them. “I think of all those priests who quietly present Christ’s words and actions each day to the faithful and to the whole world, striving to be one with the Lord in their thoughts and their will, their sentiments and their style of life. How can I not pay tribute to their apostolic labours, their tireless and hidden service, their universal charity? And how can I not praise the courageous fidelity of so many priests who, even amid difficulties and incomprehension, remain faithful to their vocation as “friends of Christ,” whom he has called by name, chosen and sent?”

This is a reminder for most of us to learn to appreciate the ministry of our shepherds. If need be, we tell them that we remember their kind deeds towards us. I know most of them have already forgotten about the countless kind deeds that they have shared. But we can recall succinctly their kind-heartedness and true service. I say we pray for those beautiful moments of inspiration and help from our good shepherds. They are the ones who lead us during times of trouble. They are beacons of hope, as the late John Paul II would say. We look up to them and thank Jesus for their gift of persons.

We have good shepherds who sacrificed by living faithfully. We also do not forget those who have strayed, may they be back to the fold of the Lord. To our true shepherds, our priests, our leaders, you are our source of inspiration. We love you and thank God for you. Dear Lord, please bless us with more good shepherds. Amen.

                 [Sem Marc Louie M. Calo, MSP
                   MSP Seminary, Tagaytay City]

« Back to Homilies Index