Give us good leaders, Lord!
The story is told about a Japanese on board a cruise ship who, after using his mobile phone, threw it into the sea. When asked why, he said: “Oh, we have plenty of those in Japan.” Likewise, an American threw his laptop into the sea after using it, and said: “We have plenty of those in America.” Just then a Filipino pushed a Filipino politician overboard. When asked why, his response was: “Oh, we have plenty of those in the Philippines.”
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In today’s Gospel (John 10:1-10), Jesus notes the difference between good and hired shepherds. The former are for the service; the latter are for the money. Likewise, we note the difference between statesmen and politicians. The former work for the good of the nation, while the latter work for the next elections. The former are few, the latter are aplenty.
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There is only one Good Shepherd—Jesus Christ our Lord. The rest of us who claim to be shepherds are in reality not so good. Most of us are “not-so-good” or “trying-to-be-good” shepherds who keep on trying to be good anyway. In humility. We ask the Good Shepherd to help us not only to talk good but to be truly good.
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To be a good shepherd, i.e. religious or civic leader, one must have gone through or must continue to undergo conversion or metanoia. A leader who has no vision and who has no sense of mission is what Jesus calls today a hireling, a thief, and a robber, who has no concern for the sheep. Such a shepherd leaves the sheep and runs away, and abandons the sheep.
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Another mark of a good shepherd is the presence of the spirit of service or diakonia in his/her life. And so it is that we have shepherds who enjoy the perks and privileges of their office, but so wanting when it comes to the service that goes along with their office. They lead only by words, but they do not really go out of their way to serve.
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One other mark of a good shepherd is communion or koinonia. A leader must be present to his/her flock. He/she must listen and must be in touch with the needs, aspirations, hopes, and dreams of those he/she leads. To be just that, a leader must have deep communion with God, for he/she who truly listens to God will truly love his/her flock. A shepherd who does not pray, will go astray.
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One final mark of a good shepherd is that of proclamation or kerygma. Neither fear nor favor should stop him/her from proclaiming Gospel values. A leader is a prophet and must not be focused on personal profit. A leader must by his/her very life and person, more than by his/her words, be a constant source of strength and inspiration to the flock. If we do not inspire, why don’t we just retire? If we can no longer lead, why don’t we indeed just leave?
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Here is one text message I received which I think is a beautiful reminder for shepherds: “To be tender with the young; to be compassionate with the aged; to be sympathetic with the striving; to be patient with the weak; and to be forgiving of sinners … for in our lifetime, we were, and will be any of all of these.”
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Today is World Day of Prayer for Vocations. Let us pray that God will send more men and women to work in His vineyard. Yes, the harvest is plenty, but the laborers are few. Men and women who are interested in the priestly and religious life, the Lord is calling you, and the world is waiting for you.
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All of us are called! All of us are called to be good. All of us are called for a mission. All of us are called to God’s heart, and all of us are called to go home to heaven at the end of our earthly sojourn. Stop being cold, because you are called!
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Allow me to share with you my ordination prayer, which I made some 46 years ago: “You have called me, Oh Lord, not so much because of me, but in spite of me; not so much to become a somebody but to be a someone to you and to your people; keep me, Oh Lord, ever in your love. Amen.”
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Question: Why SHEpherd, and not HEpherd? Is it because women are better than men leaders? Just asking…
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Moment with the Lord:
Lord, remind us that we cannot truly lead others, if we are not led by You. Amen.
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momentswithfrjerry@gmail.com
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