“I am the good Shepherd. I know my sheep and my sheep know Me.” How do we know who the good shepherd is today amidst the virus. We need to ask three questions to know who we ought to trust and follow. First question: What is the priority of your shepherd? Second: Do his words match his actions? Finally: What is the goal that he wishes to offer you?
Priorities determine the life of each of us. If health is the first priority then we need to exercise and we need to be concerned about what we put into our bodies. Our physical nature requires organic food, fresh air, clean water and movement. Now all of this is good and the shepherd knows that the sheep need to be fed and so He seeks out good grazing ground. Now He seeks to teach the sheep through careful instruction that they might become more independent. His care for their intellectual growth demands that He study and reflect more upon what is taking place and how the sheep might avoid errors. Ultimately the sheep need to understand the overall submission of the physical nature to the intellectual capacity and all of it is subordinated to the eternal goal of saving souls. I know my sheep and they know me.
Following upon the priorities the good shepherd possesses a unity in the life that he lives. His words are matched by his actions. Every person is known by what they say and then what they do. If they preach love, but are filled with hate then we judge them as split personalities. If they are loud in their convictions but silent in living those convictions then we learn to avoid them. Loud ones are too sure and not the best but the quiet shepherds may be unsure but they are the best. The old Latin saying rings so true: “Verba movent; exempla trahunt.” Words do move us but example drags us. Our Lord told us that you can tell the tree by its fruit. Consider the fig tree that did not bear fruit: it was cursed and withered up.
We come to the goal of the Good Shepherd. He does not seek the convenience of the flock but rather challenges them to seek first the kingdom of God. The sheep must know that the shepherd loves them unto eternity. He does not flee the flock in times of trouble but remains as a guide through the test. His goal is the salvation of the souls and the perfection of their spiritual lives. All else is subordinated to this truth: All for the glory of God and the good of the souls.
In the course of history the good shepherd protects the sheep through clear teaching and sacrificial action. He will lay down his life for his sheep. This is how he defines “goodness”. This life is secondary to that which is eternal. Sacrifice is the coin of his love and through it he is able to purify his sheep by the shedding of his own blood. Without that attitude the shepherd would simply be an “hireling”.
The good shepherd uses the staff of truth in order to combat the evil one who seeks to scatter the sheep by means of half-truths. For the good shepherd error has no right to exist and truth alone commands his mind and his actions. In the course of time, the sheep who listen and follow the good shepherd become shepherds in imitation of the master.
Today we have seen that our shepherds deserted the flock just like the first apostles during that first Holy Week. Unlike the apostles who feared the Jews our bishops feared a virus and claimed that health of the body is more important the health of the soul. They refused to combat the physical evil with a spiritual power, the grace of the holy sacraments. Instead of real actions they preferred staying in their palatial premises and encourage a “virtual” televised holy week eliminating the Eucharistic presence of the Good Shepherd. How will they stand before the true Shepherd when they cower behind a group of human experts with a political agenda.
Their lack of boldness and faith rings so loudly that the flock need to call them out and relieve them of their duty and seek men filled with the true love of God to take their place. I know mine and mine know me. Eliminate the hirelings and the evil ones and seek the true Good Shepherd who will carry out with conviction the salvation of souls. This Good Shepherd will teach the love of the Virgin Mary, the love of the Blessed Sacrament and the love of the Catholic Church. Seek and you will find the good shepherd.
In the hearts of Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
Fr. Voigt
Comments are closed.